TORONTO – If you’re one of the 900 million people using Facebook, chances are you’ve checked out your ex’s profile at least once (and almost certainly, many more times than that).
After all, the world’s most popular social networking website didn’t get that way simply by offering users a way to “keep in touch with friends and loved ones.” Okay, sure. Facebook is great for that, but it is also great for creeping on ex-girlfriends and boyfriends. So great in fact, that you know exactly what I mean when I say “creeping.”
But if you’re still heartbroken after a recent breakup, you may want to cut out your Facebook “stalking” ways.
Get daily National news
A new study, published this month in Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, shows that exposure to an ex’s Facebook profile may disrupt the healing process, making it harder to move on from a past relationship.
The study, called “Facebook Surveillance of Former Romantic Partners: Associations with PostBreakup Recovery and Personal Growth,” analyzed survey results from 464 Facebook users.
The survey asked participants questions like, “How often do you look at your ex-partner’s Facebook page?” and “How heartbroken are you when you think about the breakup?”
Participants then ranked the extent of negative feelings toward their ex.
Through analyzing the survey results, the study concluded that continued exposure to an ex-romantic partner online may disrupt post-breakup recovery.
Study authors said that frequent monitoring of an ex’s Facebook profile, including photos and their list of friends, was associated with greater distress over the breakup, as well as longing for the ex-partner and lower personal growth.
The takeaway? De-friending your ex on Facebook may be the best remedy for a broken heart.
Comments