Perceptions of Benefits and Drawbacks in Maintaining Back Burner Relationships Online: A Report on Gendered Differences Among College Students

This report investigates the perceptions of college students regarding the benefits and drawbacks of maintaining back burner relationships online, with a specific focus on gender-based differences. A mixed-methods study design was utilized. Participants included 762 undergraduate students (71% female, 71% Caucasian, 92% heterosexual) from communication courses at a Southwestern university. Participants completed a Qualtrics survey, and data were analyzed using content analysis with a focus on thematic coding. Inter-coder reliability was established at 98%. Results identified distinct gender differences in the benefits and drawbacks of back burner relationships. Females reported benefits such as emotional comfort and maintaining friendships, while males noted confidence boosts and the potential for future relationships. Conversely, females highlighted drawbacks related to relationship strain and emotional toll, whereas males emphasized complications arising from attachment and temptation. This report enhances the understanding of how young adults navigate interpersonal romantic dynamics in the digital age, contributing to research on relationship alternatives and the role of technology in modern romantic relationships. The findings inform future studies on relational decision-making and gendered expectations in digital communication contexts.