Are you currently in a long-distance relationship (LDR)? Or are you just curious about some facts and statistics associated with being in one? Considering the advances in social technology that the world has seen, these types of relationships have become very common.
Even if your soulmate lives far away, that doesn’t mean you have to break up. In fact, there are some positives that come out of being in a long-distance relationship. Some of these psychological facts about long distance relationships might surprise you.
Just like any relationship, if you care about each other enough, love will always find a way.
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23 Psychological Facts About Long Distance Relationships
Does distance make the heart grow fonder? Learn the truth by reading these interesting facts about relationships between couples separated by many miles.
1. Long Distance Relationships Can Be Successful
While many people may think LDRs won’t ever work as well as “normal” relationships, this is not true. Psychologists will tell you—and studies back this up—that the chances of an LDR being successful are the same as for relationships where couples are geographically close.
Distance is simply one factor in a relationship, and there are many other aspects that contribute to the success or failure of any relationship.
2. Long Distance Relationships Can Improve a Couples Communication
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A study on long-distance relationships published in the Journal of Communication found that people in long-distance relationships had better communication skills than those who were not. Both men and women in LDR were more likely to share meaningful thoughts with one another.
They were also more likely to romanticize their partners’ behaviors, which led to a greater sense of intimacy.
3. Adjusting to the Distance Is Easier for Women Than Men
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A study on the sex differences in long-distance relationships found that women typically adjust better to physical separation than men. The study also found that breakups had a bigger negative impact on men. They increased a man’s distress but decreased a woman’s distress.
4. Happiness Levels Between Couples Don’t Change Because of Distance
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A 2014 study on positive relationship outcomes for couples in LDRs suggests that geographical distance is not a burden on you and your partner’s levels of happiness in your relationship.
Couples who live together don’t report being any happier than those who live far away from each other.
5. People in LDRs Idealize Their Partners
When people go long periods of time without seeing their partner, they tend to idealize them. This is because you tend to only think of their good characteristics, and you forget about their shortcomings.
6. You’re More Likely to Think Your Relationship Will Last if You’re in a LDR
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Long-distance couples are more likely to think that their relationship will last, according to a study from the University of Denver. Couples tend to make plans for their future while they’re separated by distance. This gives them more sense of hope that their relationship will last.
However, the study found that couples in LDRs weren’t any more likely to stay together than couples not separated by distance.
7. Long Distance Relationships Are Easier When They’re Temporary
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Long-distance couples feel more satisfied and undergo less stress when they know that being away from each other is only temporary. The thought that you’ll eventually be reunited with your partner in the near future makes the distance more bearable.
8. Many College Students Have Been in Long Distance Relationships
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As many as 75% of college students have reported being in a long-distance relationship sometime during their studies. This high statistic probably comes down to the fact that more students are choosing to attend out-of-state universities than ever before.
9. A Small Percentage of High School Relationships Survive Long Distance
If you want to continue a relationship with your high school sweetheart, the research says you shouldn’t try out a LDR. Only 2% of high school couples are able to survive the long-distance phase.
At this age, most high school couples become separated when they attend different colleges. The research says that these relationships rarely make it longer than their first Thanksgiving apart. This is because the November holiday is usually the first time they’ll see each other again after a prolonged physical absence.
After spending time together in person again, they decide they no longer want to be together. So if you’re both wanting to attend a college in a different state than your partner, you might have to work extra hard to make your relationship last.
10. Some People Prefer Being in a Long Distance Relationship
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It might seem counterintuitive for a couple to be happier farther away than closer together, but for some people, the benefits of being in a LDR are very appealing.
You might enjoy having someone to talk to and share your feelings with, but with the freedom and independence of being physically separated. It can also give you more time to focus on the things that make you happy or your goals in life.
11. The Success Rate of Long Distance Relationships Is Nearly 60%
A study on long-distance relationships was conducted by Kiiro in 2018. It found that about 58% of these types of relationships last long enough to turn into something more serious. That’s more than half, which is pretty impressive.
12. 1/3 of LDRs End Within 3 Months of Couples Moving Closer Together
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About 37% of long-distance couples break up within three months of becoming geographically close to one another. This just reinforces the fact that for some couples, the distance makes their relationship more stable.
13. A Small Percent of Married Couples Are in LDRs
Only about 2.9% of married couples are separated by a long distance. The two main reasons married couples cited for being in a LDR were work and military service.
14. Many Americans in LDRs Say It’s Made Them Closer to Their Partner
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About 55% of American adults say they experience a deeper connection to their partner when they’re in a long-distance relationship. This could be because with a greater distance between them; they tend to miss each other more.
This can lead to them feeling a greater sense of appreciation for the time they are able to spend together.
15. Lack of Physical Intimacy Is One of the Biggest Obstacles for LDRs
Not being able to be physically intimate with your partner is one of the most significant obstacles that arise from a LDR. Physical closeness is at the heart of every romantic relationship, and a long-distance one is no exception.
16. The Honeymoon Phase Takes Longer to Wear Off in a LDR
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Although the honeymoon phase eventually ends for all couples, it takes longer to wear off for partners in a long-distance relationship. This is because when you do not see each other as much, the novelty tends to last longer.
17. Most People in LDRs See Each Other at Least Once a Month
Most people in LDRs see each other an average of about 1.5 times per month. However, some couples have to go much longer.
18. Social Media Has Made It Easier for Couples to Thrive in a LDR
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Social media and the advances in technology have made it much easier for long-distance couples to communicate. Video chats, in particular, help you keep a strong bond with your partner by being able to physically see them as often as you want.
However, social media can create problems for couples too. It can increase jealousy between couples and lead you to compare your relationship with other relationships in an unhealthy way.
19. People in LDRs Send Hundreds of Text Messages per Week
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As previously mentioned, people in LDRs heavily rely on social media and technology to communicate. So how much do they actually use it? Well, the research says that the average person in a LDR sends about 343 text messages a week.
20. The US and Europe Report High Rates of Couples in LDRs
This study on LDRs shows just how common they are. The research reported that 91% of participants said that they had been in at least one LDR at some point in their life.
21. Couples in LDR Are Just as Likely to Cheat as Couples Close Together
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Couples in long-distance relationships usually tend to worry more about their partner cheating on them. But the research suggests that the rate of men and women who cheat in a long-distance relationship isn’t any higher than in couples that live close to each other.
The rate of infidelity in LDR and proximal relationships is about 22%.
22. The Fights in a Long Distance Relationship Are Different
Not being able to see someone face-to-face when you’re having an argument can make resolving it even more difficult. You’re not able to see their facial expressions, and it may be harder to pick up on their tone of voice.
It also may be harder to break the silence in a LDR following a fight. It’s important to give yourself time to cool off after a fight and see where your significant other is coming from.
23. Long Distance Relationships Can Be Expensive
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Couples in long-distance relationships have to spend money on the transportation costs that go with travel. This can be gas for your car, an airplane ticket, a train ticket, or whatever method of transport you use to get to where you need to go.
In some cases, a LDR could also mean a higher cell phone bill.
However, if you’re the type of person who likes to travel, this can be seen as a perk. For example, if you and your partner live in different states or countries, you could decide to meet in the middle somewhere and take a vacation together.
Being in a long-distance relationship is all about seeing the positives in your situation.
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Amanda O’Brien is the owner of the New Interesting Facts website. She attended Monash University in Melbourne, where she attained two degrees with first class honours. She lives in London and runs four websites (including this one) and loves to geek out on facts of all types.
