Posted July 5, In fact, they have been depicted in major movies such as Friends with Benefits and No Strings Attached. A common premise of movies and shows depicting FWB is that the non-romantically involved couple falls in love and lives happily ever after. Though storylines like these romanticize these relationships, researchers have offered a different and more realistic understanding of FWB.
One study by Hughes, Morris, and Asada identified the motives for FWBs, or more specifically, why people said they engaged in these types of relationships. Based on their analyses, people reported being in FWB relationships for the following reasons: relationship avoidance, sex , relationship simplicity, emotional connection , and wanted FWB relationship p. Relationships take work to sustain and researchers interested in this area study relational maintenance behaviors.
I have previously written about that research. In a similar vein, Hughes et al. Based on their analyses, they identified the following rules for maintenance: negotiate rules e. Though movies and television depict these relationships in various ways, studies like Hughes et al. For more information, I encourage you to read their study. Hughes, M. Exploring the impact of maintenance rules, love attitudes, and network support on friends with benefits relationships.
Western Journal of Communication, 69 , Sean M. Horan, Ph. Horan Ph. Adventures in Dating. Posted July 5, Share. References Hughes, M. About the Author. More from Sean M. More from Psychology Today. Back Psychology Today. Back Find a Therapist. Back Get Help. Mental Health. Passive Aggression Personality Shyness. Personal Growth. Low Sexual Desire Relationships Sex.
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