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Long distance. Turns out the lack of face to face contact increases idealization. And once they get close? They were more likely to end the relationship:
Two studies explore the seeming paradox reported in prior researchon long-distance dating relationships (LDDRs):Despite limited interaction, LDDR partners evidence greater relational stability than partners in geographicallyclose dating relationships (GCDRs). We investigatespeculations that romantic idealization may be a key component in LDDR stability. Idealization (i.e., idealisticdistortion, romantic love, relational reminiscence,perceived agreement) and satisfaction with communicationwas more pronounced in LDDRs than GCDRs. Idealization was also associated with infrequent face-to-face communication.LDDRs were more stable than GCDRs as long asLDDR partners remained geographically separated, but LDDR partners were likely to terminate their relationshipupon becoming proximal. Longer absences betweenface-to-face visits and extreme idealization during separationpredicted instability upon reunion.
Source: “Idealization, reunions, and stability in long-distance dating relationships” from Journal of Social and Personal Relationships
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