OLIVAREZ COLLEGE TAGAYTAY

E. Aguinaldo Hi-Way, Crossing Silang, Tagaytay City

“Technology Mediated Affection: Social Interaction in the midst of

Pandemic
MEMBERS:
Cortez, Faye Nicole L.
Balanag, Kian H.
Dua, Mikhyla Ashley
Mendoza, Lorene Venise
Revilla, Herold John
Lopez, Georgie
Lopez, Carol Elaine
Gunay, John Rowell
Paa, Rhonel John
Luna, Justin
Sierra, Leslie

Research Adviser:
Ms. Joan Derez
 A. Brief Introduction/
Background of the Study
There are couples who try to maximize their time together by
avoiding the conflicts in their relationship, but we cannot change the fact
that there are still couples who can't avoid the problems that is brought
by there distance, the lack of physical touch, travel distance and mental
support between couples are some example causes of the troubles that
an LDR couple experience. Participants in long-distance intimate
relationships reported higher levels of satisfaction, more positive
reminiscences about a partner, increased levels of perceived agreement
with a partner, and improved communication quality than their close-
proximity counterparts (Kelmer et al., 2013). The purpose of this study
was to provide a comprehensible analysis of what were the lived
experiences of the students in their long distance relationship. This study
aim to provide a information about conflicts, challenges, and social
interaction that an LDR couples experience in their relationship. This will
also give an advice on how they cope up.
B. Research Framework
The reason the partners are far apart, or the context of the relationship,
affects the likelihood of conflict resolution. A conflict may arise between
the couples in their relationship at any time. The above theory is related
to the study of the researchers because it is prior to the problems of this
paper, particularly the conflicts and experiences of students not just in
long-distance relationships but also in relationships with their families or
loved ones. In addition, the mentioned theory is related to the study
because the said theory states how a couple or person involved prepares
to be in a long- distance relationship where this theory also highlights the
problems that the LDR couple have and how they are going to manage it.
This theory is perfect to use in this study for the reason that the
researchers found their study researching for the perspective of the
researchers’ participants in a long-distance relationship that can be
research that will going to support the existing theory and serve as the
recommendation also of the theory that fits in the whole research paper.
C. Statement of the problem

1. What are the lived experiences of Grade 11

students who are in the LDR situation in the
midst of pandemic?
2. What are the challenges of Grade 11 students
involved in LDR in social interaction amidst
pandemic?
3. How did they cope up?
E. Scope and delimitations
This study will primarily focus on student's lived
experiences in their long-distance relationships during the
pandemic. Because people perceive long-distance
relationships to be extremely difficult, with unavoidable
suffering, they should be careful in everything that they
do in order to avoid factors that might cause problems.
The student's lived experiences in the problems of long-
distance relationships could be a help to stop and avoid
these misdoings again. This study will be limited to the
grade 11 students that were experiencing long-distance
relationships that from the beginning of their relationship
they haven’t seen each other until now.
F. Significance of the Study

This research study is beneficial to a

couple, a soon to be couple and for
people who are experiencing conflicts of
LDR situation in social interaction amidst
the pandemic.
G. Methodology
1. Research Design
The research design that the researchers used is Qualitative
Descriptive Research Design, the researchers are able to know
the lived experiences of Grade 11 students about long-distance
relationships using interview protocol by asking questions
without any biases involved and are aligned with this study.

2. Sampling Technique

The sampling technique that the researchers used is the

Purposive Sampling Technique where the researchers utilized
interviews and observations in gathering information. The
researchers accumulated deeper knowledge and ideas about the
technology-mediated affection in social interaction amidst the
pandemic of the participants.
3.Participants of the Study

The participants of this study are the Grade 11 Senior High School students
that are involved in long-distance relationships.

4.Research instrument (description &

purpose)
Interview thru Google Meet served as the
Research Instrument that the researchers
used, to know and gather much information
as possible from the participants.
5. Data Gathering Procedure
The researchers asked permission to the
principal before undergoing the research study.
After the principal gives the researchers
permission, they have already performed the
research on the requested topic, the
researchers begin to formulate research
questions that are relevant to the study. The
researchers provided a letter signed by the
principal that contains authorization to conduct
an interview to the participants.
7. Data Analysis

After successfully obtaining the experiences of

random couples, the researchers then proceeded
to the process of analyzing. The researchers will
use the Thematic Analysis Method proposed by
Wa-Mbaleka in 2018. It is closely examined the
data to identify common themes, topics, ideas,
and patterns of meaning that come up
repeatedly. With compliance to the thematic
analysis method proposed by Wa-Mbaleka, the
data was properly analyzed by the researchers.
H. Results
1. What are the lived experiences of Grade 11
students who are in the LDR situation in the midst
of pandemic?
2. What are the challenges of Grade 11 students
involved in LDR in social interaction amidst
pandemic?
3. How did they cope up?
I. Conclusions and
Recommendations
Based on the experiences of Grade 11 SHS Students, majority
of our participants stated that their experience in Long-Distance
Relationship is not easy.
At last, future researchers address not only the challenges
encountered by the couple but also the challenges encountered
in the situation of LDR.  Having a long-distance relationship is not
that kind of easy, however, it makes us stronger on how he/she
can handle that kind of situation. The LDR couples also shared
that a healthy relationship can be built on the foundation of
communication and trust. Entering a long distance relationship
requires you to have trust and faith towards your partner and to
put extra effort in order for your relationship to work. In addition
to that, the researchers also recommend you to have continuous
communication with your significant other to avoid malicious
thoughts.
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