Relational cohesion theory posits that relational cohesion helps build relationships among communication partners, implying that users would expect a growth in relations or making more friends in the future. However, little is known about expectancy of a better future state of relations, i.e. expectancy of relational growth, and its impact on users' continued engagement in online communication. Our study extends relational cohesion theory to explain how expectancy of relational growth impacts online gamer loyalty.,We test the framework using structural equation modeling to analyze a large sample of 1,429 responses from online gamers.,We find that expectancy of relational growth is positively related to norm compliance and relational cohesion, which are further related to network convergence and interdependence, fostering online gamer loyalty.,The findings contribute to relational cohesion theory by identifying novel sources of relational cohesion, i.e. expectancy of relational growth and norm compliance. Hence, game providers should create gamers' expectancy of growth in online relationships. Such expectancy could motivate continued gaming communication, even when gamers are not satisfied with the current state of online relationships. Moreover, we propose the new concept of expectancy of relational growth, which should have a strong impact on online communication in various areas.

中文翻译：

---

为什么未来的朋友很重要：关系增长的预期对在线游戏玩家忠诚度的影响

关系内聚理论认为，关系内聚有助于在沟通伙伴之间建立关系，这意味着用户会期望未来关系的增长或结交更多的朋友。然而，人们对更好的未来关系状态的预期，即关系增长的预期，以及它对用户继续参与在线交流的影响知之甚少。我们的研究扩展了关系内聚理论来解释关系增长的预期如何影响在线游戏玩家的忠诚度。我们使用结构方程模型测试该框架以分析来自在线游戏玩家的 1,429 份响应的大样本。我们发现关系增长的预期是正相关的规范合规性和关系凝聚力，这进一步与网络融合和相互依赖相关，从而培养在线游戏玩家的忠诚度。通过识别关系凝聚力的新来源，即关系增长和规范遵守的预期，这些发现有助于关系凝聚力理论。因此，游戏供应商应该创造游戏玩家在线关系增长的预期。即使游戏玩家对在线关系的当前状态不满意，这种期望也可以激发持续的游戏交流。此外，我们提出了关系增长预期的新概念，这将对各个领域的在线交流产生强烈影响。即使游戏玩家对在线关系的当前状态不满意，这种期望也可以激发持续的游戏交流。此外，我们提出了关系增长预期的新概念，这将对各个领域的在线交流产生强烈影响。即使游戏玩家对在线关系的当前状态不满意，这种期望也可以激发持续的游戏交流。此外，我们提出了关系增长预期的新概念，这将对各个领域的在线交流产生强烈影响。