What does this research mean for the field?

Specific smartphone-based experimental manipulations can reliably increase state closeness motivation toward romantic partners in everyday life, though they may also influence other affective and agency-related states. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.METHODOLOGICAL. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

To develop and experimentally validate daily smartphone-delivered manipulations aimed at increasing state closeness motivation toward a romantic partner in naturalistic settings.

August 30, 2026Personal RelationshipsOpen Access

Bridging Hearts: Developing and Validating Experimental Manipulations of Closeness Motivation in Romantic Relationships

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Authors

TLT. H. Nensy LeLudwig-Maximilians-Universität München FSFelix D. SchönbrodtGoogle (United States)CZCaroline Zygar–HoffmannMunich University of Applied Sciences

Discussion

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Implication

Experience-sampling study demonstrates daily smartphone manipulations can elevate closeness motivation in romantic partners, indicating viable tools for naturalistic relationship research.

Key Points

To develop and experimentally validate daily smartphone-delivered manipulations aimed at increasing state closeness motivation toward a romantic partner in naturalistic settings.
Conducted a within-person experience-sampling design across 8 days with N=269 participants in romantic relationships completing one task per day.
Tested 18 manipulation variants across six media formats (videos, audio stories, podcasts, songs, guided memories, personal photos) using incentive, disincentive, and deprivation mechanisms derived from motive disposition theory and the Zurich Model of Social Motivation.
Evaluated manipulation efficacy using sequential Bayesian hypothesis testing with Bayes factors alongside construct validation analyses assessing affect, agency, and relationship evaluations.
Ten manipulation variants reliably increased state closeness motivation, four variants failed to produce an effect, and four yielded inconclusive evidence.
Construct validation showed mixed specificity across effective variants; while some selectively targeted closeness motivation, others induced equal or greater changes in affective states, agency-related motivations, or general relationship evaluations.

Cite This Study

Le et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a93f0c06c1a8fb52e79d263 https://doi.org/10.1111/pere.70082

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Implication

Experience-sampling study demonstrates daily smartphone manipulations can elevate closeness motivation in romantic partners, indicating viable tools for naturalistic relationship research.

Bridging Hearts: Developing and Validating Experimental Manipulations of Closeness Motivation in Romantic Relationships

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

Bridging Hearts: Developing and Validating Experimental Manipulations of Closeness Motivation in Romantic Relationships

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

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