In this study, we examine the effects of the near-constant use of digital media in everyday life on well-being in the context of close relationships. Building on media multiplexity and attachment perspectives, we argue that communication over a dyad’s media ecosystem, including face-to-face, text messaging, cellphone calls, e-mail, and instant messaging, creates connected availability. Connected availability is the perception that a partner is at a continuous (digital) arm’s reach offering protection and security. Using longitudinal dyadic data of cohabitating romantic partners, we track the effects of media multiplexity on well-being by factoring in both partners’ perspectives to untangle the security offered through partner’s availability from the stress of maintaining one’s own constant availability to a partner. The results support salutary effects of media use on well-being because of increased connected availability, with limited evidence for adverse impacts of maintaining constant availability with a close partner. The always-on, always-available nature of digital life means almost constant connection and availability between romantic partners, family members, and close friends. Being tethered to one another can give people a sense of security, while simultaneously causing more stress. In this article, we find that keeping a romantic partner constantly within a (digital) arm’s reach promotes better well-being for oneself. In addition, keeping a romantic partner always available also predicted better well-being for the romantic partner. Further, the analysis did not show added stress for the partner.

中文翻译：

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始终可用，始终依附：关于手机和社交媒体对主观幸福感影响的关系视角

在这项研究中，我们研究了在日常生活中几乎不断使用数字媒体对亲密关系背景下的幸福感的影响。基于媒体多路复用性和附件观点，我们认为通过二元组的媒体生态系统进行的通信，包括面对面、短信、手机通话、电子邮件和即时消息，创造了连接的可用性。连接可用性是指合作伙伴处于持续（数字）范围内，提供保护和安全性。使用同居伴侣的纵向二元数据，我们通过考虑伴侣双方的观点来追踪媒体多重性对幸福感的影响，以解开通过伴侣的可用性提供的安全性与维持自己对伴侣的持续可用性的压力。结果支持媒体使用对幸福感的有益影响，因为增加了连接可用性，但有限的证据表明与亲密合作伙伴保持持续可用性的不利影响。数字生活始终在线、随时可用的特性意味着浪漫伴侣、家庭成员和密友之间几乎始终保持联系和可用。相互束缚可以给人一种安全感，同时也会造成更大的压力。在这篇文章中，我们发现将浪漫的伴侣不断地保持在（数字）手臂的范围内可以促进自己更好的幸福感。此外，让恋人随时待命也预示着恋人的幸福感会更好。此外，分析并未显示伴侣的压力增加。