Identifying Motivations for Relationship Alternatives: Analyzing College Students' Backburner Relationships

Abstract

Backburner refers to a desired prospective romantic/sexual partner with whom one interacts with the purpose of possibly creating a future romantic or sexual relationship. Modern technology has made it easier to develop and maintain relationships with backburners. This study analyzed the different motivations that individuals (N = 762) use towards their backburner relationships. Results from this study revealed that there were six main motivations for backburner relationships: 1) sex or possibility of sexual intimacy; 2) previous romantic feelings with this person (e.g., first love, previous romance, ex-boyfriend/girlfriend); 3) to maintain a friendship in hopes of a potential romantic relationship; 4) because it is exciting or fun to keep in contact with this person; 5) social contact to keep tabs on their life; and 6) there is no true motivation. Findings suggest that individuals typically communicate with their backburner relationships through text messages.