Date Approved
2022
Degree Type
Open Access Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts (MA)
Department or School
Communication, Media and Theatre Arts
Committee Member
Jeannette Kindred, Ph.D., Chair
Committee Member
Jamie Ward, Ph.D.
Committee Member
Dennis O’Grady, Ph.D.
Abstract
The recent boom in popularity of the social media app TikTok has provided more opportunities for users in a committed relationship to express their love to their partner through features such as video sharing, tagging, or creating content together. The purpose of this study is to learn how romantic partners use TikTok to support relationship maintenance; in addition, this study draws on research related to the five love languages to gauge how romantic partners express their love for each other using TikTok. Interviews with eight individuals involved in long-term romantic relationships revealed how TikTok assists with relationship maintenance. Six themes emerged from the interview data showing that romantic partners use TikTok for self-disclosure, meta communication, activity planning, connection, convenience, and humor. In addition, respondents explained in detail how four of the five love languages are satisfied and expressed via TikTok.
Recommended Citation
Nemes, Shannon, "The use of TikTok for relationship maintenance: An exploratory study" (2022). Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations. 1168.
https://commons.emich.edu/theses/1168