«Couples in trouble» because of social networks? A systematic review

Empirical studies reveal Social Network Sites (SNS) have multiple applications related to intimate relationships. Through SNS, people can meet partners, maintain relationships, and portray commitment. Existing evidence includes both positive and negative outcomes for offline Romantic Relationships (oRRs). Nevertheless, unification and coherent frameworks on the relationship between SNSs' use and quality of oRR and factors influencing these relationships have not been provided. This was the aim of this systematic literature review that analysed a corpus of 65 peer-reviewed articles. Results from the study uncovered positive and negative outcomes of SNS on the quality of oRR in relation to online behaviour that is at least partially guided - i.e., moderated - by individual differences of the people involved, especially by the individual's attachment style.