Category: Communication and Daily Life Copyright © 2015, IGI Global. Copying or distributing in print or electronic forms without written permission of IGI Global is prohibited. 322 DOI: 10.4018/978-1-4666-8239-9.ch028 The Role of Mobile Phones in Romantic Relationships INTRODUCTION The definitions of key concepts in the title are: mobile phone is a “wireless handheld device that allows users to make calls and send text messages, among other features” (techopedia.com); romantic relationship is being a couple, which includes possibility of marriage and sexual exclusivity (Guerrero, Andersen, & Afifi, 2014). OVERVIEW Dr. Licoppe (Liccope, 2004) at Telecom ParisTech, Dr. Haddon (Haddon, 2003) at the London School of Economics & Political Science, and Drs. Katz and Aakhus (Katz & Aakhus, 2002) at Rutgers University are among the earliest scholars exam- ining the role of cell phones in relationships. Dr. Ling (Ling, 2012) at IT University of Copenhagen, Dr. Rettie (Rettie, 2009) at Kingston University London, Dr. Gershon (Gershon, 2010) at Indiana University, and Drs. Robert Duran and Lynne Kelly (Duran, Kelly, & Rotaru, 2011) at the Uni- versity of Hartford are among the leading experts in the area of the impact that cell phones have on romantic relationships. Just as cell phones, along with other Informa- tion Communication Technologies (ICTs), have become essential to relationship maintenance in friendship and family relationships (Tong & Walther, 2011), so too have they emerged as “key actors in the life of many American couples... They negotiate over when to use it and when to abstain” (Lenhart & Duggan, Feb. 11, 2014). Romantic partners often feel closer because of frequent texting throughout the day (Pettigrew, 2009) and they sometimes experience tension or conflict over cell phone-related issues (Duran et al., 2011; Lasén, 2011). Cell phones have taken on importance in the initiation of romance (Byrne & Findlay, 2004; Rettie, 2009) and may play a role in the dissolution of relationships (Gershon, 2010). The focus of this chapter is on the role of cell phones in romantic relationships, from initial attraction to long-term committed arrangements including marriage and cohabitation. Romantic relationships are significant in people’s lives and to their psychological and emotional well-being (Caron, Lafontaine, Bureau, Levesque, & Johnson, 2012; Gordon, Heimberg, Montesi, & Fauber, 2012). It is no wonder, then, that scholars have taken an interest in communication technolo- gies, like the cell phone, that have the potential to enhance and disrupt these relationships in substantial ways. Robert L. Duran University of Hartford, USA Aimee E. Miller-Ott Illinois State University, USA Lynne Kelly University of Hartford, USA