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Text-based communication influences self-esteem more than face-to-face or cellphone communication.
- Source :
-
Computers in Human Behavior . Oct2014, Vol. 39, p197-203. 7p. - Publication Year :
- 2014
-
Abstract
- Meaningful social interactions are positively associated with improvements in self-esteem, but this phenomenon has largely been unexplored in digital media despite the prevalence of new, text-based communication (e.g. Facebook, texting, email, etc.). To address this gap in the literature the frequency and quality, or meaningfulness , of communication was measured in mediated and non-mediated channels across a random sample of 3649 social interactions using Experience Sampling Methods. Results revealed that most communication took place face-to-face (62%), with less text-based (about 22%) and cell phone voice (14%) communication. Meaningful face-to-face and text-based communication were associated with changes in self-esteem according to a marginally significant and significant finding, respectively. Text-based communication was more important for self-esteem than face-to-face or phone communication, which is consistent with research on the magnifying effect of text-based communication on interpersonal processes. According to the Internet enhanced self-disclosure hypothesis, the psychological benefits of text-based communication stems from enhanced self-disclosure, which is also supported in the data. Additional work is needed to better understand the mechanisms underlying the positive relationship between meaningful text-based interactions and self-esteem, but findings point to the important role of digital communication for psychological health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 07475632
- Volume :
- 39
- Database :
- Academic Search Index
- Journal :
- Computers in Human Behavior
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 98481792
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2014.07.026