An estimated three million married couples in the U.S. live far away from each other, even though they rather live together. But a recent study published in the Journal of Communications, found that the  separation actually doesn’t have a negative impact on their relationship. In fact, the study found that long distance relationships are deeper and more intimate than relationships where the couple is geographically close. The researchers, L. Crystal Jiang of City University of Hong Kong and Jeffrey T. Hancock of Cornell University found that even though long distance couples interacted less, each interaction was more meaningful. The couples apart revealed more about themselves, and essentially tried harder to maintain the relationship.

Do you think long distance relationships work? Are they actually more meaningful? Does technology like video chat and texting make it easier? Are people in geographically close relationships more apt to take it for granted?

Guest:

Tina Tessina, licensed psychotherapist, author of 13 books including: “The Commuter Marriage”