Mass culture, social networks and marital harmony

Abstract

The specificity of contemporary daily life is manifested in the interaction of mass culture with new media forms. Such interactions cause many social and cultural problems, one of which is marital well-being. The paper aims at studying the potential impact of digital space and social networks on marital relationship. The methodological basis of the study is a systematic approach to the study of social objects, interpretive research paradigm, multidisciplinary analysis. Information base of the research are monographs, articles, conference proceedings, reports, blogs. The search was conducted using the following keywords: mass culture, social networks, Internet, social media, digital space, marital relationship, mental health, psychological well-being, marital satisfaction. Social media offers a diverse experience for each user. The researchers state that this experience is largely positive that explains the growing use of social networks around the world. However, the use of social networks has its significant drawbacks and can threaten marital harmony. Danger factors are information that can arouse suspicion and uncertainty in a relationship; excessive control over partners in social networks, which destroys the sense of autonomy and privacy; excessive time spent in networks and intrusive signs of their use; disclosure of private information; insufficient privacy control; online adulteries that can cause divorce; feelings of worthlessness and dissatisfaction, which often arise as a result of comparing the personal offline reality with the online reality of the actors of communication processes and leads to frustration and depression.