Technology, relationships, and well-being: An overview of critical research issues and an introduction to the special issue

Abstract

Technology, relationships, and well-being represent three influential parts of our daily lives. They also represent a common area of research for scholars in a variety of disciplines. Here, we offer guidance for researchers interested in studying the connections among these issues and introduce the special issue in the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships focused on the confluence of these topics. We take each issue in turn, along with their interconnections, and describe some common pitfalls along with ideas to advance research in these areas. After analyzing the body of research on technology, relationships, and well-being, we present the special issue. We explain how our analysis of this body of research along with obstacles we encountered conducting research in this area shaped our approach to the issue. For the edification of future editors, we briefly reflect on the strengths and weaknesses of our atypical editorial process before presenting the articles that compose this issue.