Social Psychology and Society
2024. Vol. 15, no. 2, 140–154
doi:10.17759/sps.2024150209
ISSN: 2221-1527 / 2311-7052 (online)
Signs of an Enmeshed Relationship: Motivations and Outcomes of Social Networking Sites Password Sharing among Emerging Adult Men
Abstract
Objectives. The purpose of the study is to provide depth and analysis in understanding the reasons and outcomes of password sharing in the context of men's perception. The study will show a general idea of what phenomenon could occur if emerging adults decide to share a password with their partner.
Background. The campaign on securing one’s own password on one’s social media accounts has supposedly reached everyone. However, emerging adult men do share their password, either they initiated the password sharing or as a response to their partner’s demands. Despite the status of couples sharing passwords, there is a dearth of study exploring the reasons and perceived consequences of emerging adult men on password sharing.
Study design. This study investigated the phenomenon of password sharing among emerging adult men’s heterosexual relationships, thus a phenomenological design was used. Themes were extracted from interview transcripts via theoretically flexible thematic analysis.
Participants. 20 male heterosexual adult Filipinos aged (21 to 24 years old) who are in monogamous relationships (M = 22,3; SD = 0,73).
Measurements. Semi-structured interview was used in the data collection. With the elements of both structured and unstructured interview, the researchers garnered comparable and reliable data while also being able to pose extra queries to gain deeper insight about password sharing.
Results. The researchers found that the sharing of passwords between couples can be motivated by both personal and relational motivators. Furthermore, it was also found that password sharing in relationships has both detrimental impact and constructive consequences on their relationship and their own personal lives. Conclusion. This study entails that password sharing, as have been foreseen by agencies that campaigns for it, has its detrimental consequences both for the relationship and their personal boundaries. Nonetheless, password sharing had constructive consequences such as relief from relationship anxieties, and increased understanding of their partner’s social circles.
General Information
Keywords: password sharing; emerging adult; motivations; outcomes; enmeshment; digital privacy
Journal rubric: Empirical Research
Article type: scientific article
DOI: https://doi.org/10.17759/sps.2024150209
Received: 25.08.2023
Accepted:
For citation: Gutierrez J.P.G., Aledia A.J.D., Guevarra G.G., Jasa J.R.A., Villanueva D.M., Tan K.S. Signs of an Enmeshed Relationship: Motivations and Outcomes of Social Networking Sites Password Sharing among Emerging Adult Men. Sotsial'naya psikhologiya i obshchestvo = Social Psychology and Society, 2024. Vol. 15, no. 2, pp. 140–154. DOI: 10.17759/sps.2024150209.
Full text
Introduction
Method
Results
Themes and Subthemes |
Examples |
Relational Motivations 1. Symbol or proof of commitment a. Verification of information and reduction of relationship anxiety |
“I gave my password to reciprocate, so that she will not think about other things” “I would check her account and if the information that I saw aligns to what she said, then I’d feel more convinced that she’s being honest with what she claims to be doing” “If your partner knows your password, she can confirm that you don’t talk to other people; that you’re committed to her.”
|
2. Ongoing suspicions |
“Maybe that's the only reason (why they password share), because of jealousy” “…Sometimes she's doubtful of me, when she's doubtful of me, when I'm not telling the truth, that’s the time that she checks my account” |
3. Comfort in relationship |
“...because of transparency it makes the couple more comfortable with each other which led us to password sharing” “It’s like we became more comfortable that’s why we acquired access to each other's accounts” |
Personal Motivations 1. Sharing of interest and entertainment |
“For example, since my instagram’s discovery algorithm and reels is more appealing, she would sometimes prefer to browse on my account” “Out of boredom because my phone died. I just scrolled through tiktok and instagram. In tiktok if my “fyp” page is boring and hers is more entertaining” |
2. Sharing of responsibility a. Academics and businesses |
“Yes it has helped me during the times that I am unable to access my gmail, my family’s messages to me (e.g. when I am at work where I have no access to the internet), she would be the one to receive these messages” “Unforeseen events may happen in school, for example, you might lose your phone. For these scenarios, you can then ask things like "hey can you log into my account, I have to check something” |
b. Family communications |
“I shared my password with my girlfriend so that my parents could easily reach me… That's why I gave my girlfriend my password, so that my family can contact me through her” “There was a time when I needed to check something on my [Facebook[2]] messenger but I didn't have an internet connection, so I gave her my password and I did not take it back” |
c. Emergency situations |
“for example, when I die or an unfortunate event happens, at least there is someone who knows my account and is able to access it. |
Themes and Subthemes |
Examples |
Detrimental
a. Invasion of privacy |
“I feel like my privacy has been violated, because technically, I am still me, we are both individual entities, she has her own life and I have my own” “if my partner constantly checks my accounts, it would be as if I am losing my privacy” “if my partner constantly checks my accounts, it would be as if I am losing my privacy” |
b. Disruption of freedom of communication |
“I became more mindful to whom I talk to others because she might misunderstand some of the conversations, because the lack of context may affect her perception” “Sometimes I don’t want her to see my conversations with my guy friends particularly conversations that talks about girls” |
2. Unpleasant emotions a. Retroactive jealousy |
“When I acquired her password, I did not do much digging; I just looked into her past relationships. I got insecure at first” “When I acquired her password, I did not do much digging; I just looked into her past relationships. I got insecure at first“ |
Constructive 1. Relationship growth a. Empathic understanding |
“I don’t know the term but it's like, you see yourself with her in the future. It’s like you want to settle with her after password sharing” “Yes, I would say that our relationship became stronger because of password sharing” “When we reached one and a half years of our relationship, we learned to speak, listen, and to talk in a calm manner” “I got to know her when I learned the reason why she gets angry. I get to understand her. Sharing password helps you understand your partner better” “She’d wonder what am I doing right now and she’ll see that I’m not talking to anyone. She’d know that I’m doing something” “My doubts were gone, example when she doesn't reply, I’ll just check her account then I’ll know that she’s busy working” |
b. Relationship resilience |
“We fought a lot, but I think those fights strengthened our relationship, I don’t know, I’m always yearning for her” “I think it (password sharing) made our relationship more resilient, because she sees all of my chat” “So far, my efforts have paid off, and our relationship has been trouble-free for a year and a half” |
c. Assurance of partner’s wellbeing |
“Yes, I can see who she’s talking to and can confirm that she’s okay” “I only open her account when we have fights because I want to know if she’s okay, like her welfare and such” “When you get to that part (password sharing) that’s when you're secured with each other. I feel at ease and I know we’re stable” |
2. Closer to family members |
“Because she communicates with my family, she become closer to them” “Her family treats me as if I’m part if their family” |
Discussion
Conclusion
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