Interpersonal Communication and Relationship Satisfaction in the Era of Instant Messaging
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47941/jcomm.1979Keywords:
Interpersonal Communication, Relationship Satisfaction, Instant Messaging, Digital Communication, Theoretical AdaptationAbstract
Purpose: The general objective of this study was to examine the impact of instant messaging apps on interpersonal communication and relationship dynamics.
Methodology: The study adopted a desktop research methodology. Desk research refers to secondary data or that which can be collected without fieldwork. Desk research is basically involved in collecting data from existing resources hence it is often considered a low cost technique as compared to field research, as the main cost is involved in executive's time, telephone charges and directories. Thus, the study relied on already published studies, reports and statistics. This secondary data was easily accessed through the online journals and library.
Findings: The findings reveal that there exists a contextual and methodological gap relating to instant messaging apps on interpersonal communication and relationship dynamics. Preliminary empirical review revealed that while instant messaging increased connectivity and immediacy between couples, it also led to blurred boundaries and potential stress due to expectations for immediate responses. Frequent communication via IM enhanced relationship bonds but also introduced miscommunications due to the lack of non-verbal cues. The impact varied based on individual differences and relationship contexts, with younger and long-distance couples benefiting more. The study concluded that balancing IM with face-to-face communication was essential for maintaining high relationship satisfaction.
Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: The Social Presence Theory, Media Richness Theory and Uses and Gratification Theory may be used to anchor future studies on the impact of instant messaging on interpersonal communication. The study recommended expanding traditional communication theories to incorporate digital nuances, developing practical strategies for relationship counselors to navigate instant messaging challenges, and implementing policy changes to support healthy digital communication practices. It also suggested educational programs to enhance digital literacy, encouraged further research on demographic variations in IM use, and integrating findings into relationship intervention programs. These recommendations aimed to improve theoretical understanding, practical application, and policy development to foster healthier and more satisfying relationships in the digital era.
Downloads
References
Amato, P. R., & Beattie, B. (2011). Does the market matter? A cross-national investigation of the determinants of relationship satisfaction. Journal of Marriage and Family, 73(5), 893-907. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1741-3737.2011.00857.x
APHRC. (2018). Relationship satisfaction and economic stability in African households. African Population and Health Research Center.
Baxter, J., Hewitt, B., & Haynes, M. (2012). Life course transitions and housework: Marriage, parenthood, and time on housework. Journal of Marriage and Family, 74(3), 441-460. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1741-3737.2012.00966.x
Baym, N. K. (2015). Personal connections in the digital age (2nd ed.). Polity.
Castro, M. G., & Santos, A. C. (2017). Digital communication and relationship dynamics in Brazil. Journal of Communication, 67(2), 279-299. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcom.12203
Chen, G. M., & Li, C. (2017). Communication research on WeChat: A new agenda. Chinese Journal of Communication, 10(1), 12-17. https://doi.org/10.1080/17544750.2016.1219945
Coyne, S. M., Stockdale, L., Busby, D., Iverson, B., & Grant, D. M. (2011). "I luv u :)!": A descriptive study of the media use of individuals in romantic relationships. Family Relations, 60(2), 150-162. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1741-3729.2010.00639.x
Daft, R. L., & Lengel, R. H. (1986). Organizational information requirements, media richness and structural design. Management Science, 32(5), 554-571.
Derks, D., Fischer, A. H., & Bos, A. E. (2013). The role of emotion in computer-mediated communication: A review. Computers in Human Behavior, 29(2), 424-429. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2012.12.024
Doss, B. D., Rhoades, G. K., Stanley, S. M., & Markman, H. J. (2016). Marital therapy, retreats, and books: The who, what, when, and why of relationship help-seeking. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 42(4), 524-536. https://doi.org/10.1111/jmft.12167
Fox, J., & Warber, K. M. (2014). Social networking sites in romantic relationships: Attachment, uncertainty, and partner surveillance on Facebook. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, 17(1), 3-7. https://doi.org/10.1089/cyber.2012.0667
Hall, J. A., & Baym, N. K. (2012). Calling and texting (too much): Mobile maintenance expectations, (over) dependence, entrapment, and friendship satisfaction. New Media & Society, 14(2), 316-331. https://doi.org/10.1177/1461444811415047
IBGE. (2016). Socioeconomic disparities and relationship satisfaction in Brazil. Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics.
Jiang, L. C., & Hancock, J. T. (2013). Absence makes the communication grow fonder: Geographic separation, interpersonal media, and intimacy in dating relationships. Journal of Communication, 63(3), 556-577. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcom.12029
JILPT. (2018). Work-life balance and relationship satisfaction in Japan. Japan Institute for Labour Policy and Training.
Katz, E., Blumler, J. G., & Gurevitch, M. (1973). Uses and gratifications research. Public Opinion Quarterly, 37(4), 509-523.
Kawaguchi, A. (2015). The impact of work culture on family life in Japan. Asian Social Science, 11(24), 12-23. https://doi.org/10.5539/ass.v11n24p12
Knies, G., Nandi, A., & Platt, L. (2016). The dynamic relationship between economic well-being and relationship satisfaction in the UK. ISER Working Paper Series, 2016-06. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2839444
Lenhart, A., & Duggan, M. (2014). Couples, the internet, and social media. Pew Research Center.
Lenhart, A., Ling, R., Campbell, S., & Purcell, K. (2015). Teens and mobile phones. Pew Research Center. https://www.pewinternet.org/2015/04/09/teens-social-media-technology-2015/
McNulty, J. K., & Fincham, F. D. (2012). Beyond positive psychology? Toward a contextual view of psychological processes and well-being. American Psychologist, 67(2), 101-110. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0024572
Morey, J. N., Gentzler, A. L., Creasy, B., Oberhauser, A. M., & Westerman, D. (2013). Young adults' use of communication technology within their romantic relationships and associations with attachment style. Computers in Human Behavior, 29(4), 1771-1778. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2013.02.019
Ogawa, N., & Retherford, R. D. (2018). The impact of an aging population on Japanese society. Journal of Population and Social Security (Population), 6(2), 1-25.
Oladokun, R. E., Lawoyin, T. O., & Asekun-Olarinmoye, E. O. (2016). Relationship satisfaction in polygamous marriages in Nigeria. African Journal of Reproductive Health, 20(1), 92-101. https://doi.org/10.29063/ajrh2016/v20i1.10
ONS. (2019). Marital status and relationship satisfaction in the UK. Office for National Statistics.
Pettigrew, J. (2009). Text messaging and connectedness within close interpersonal relationships. Marriage & Family Review, 45(6-8), 697-716. https://doi.org/10.1080/01494920903224269
Ramirez, A., & Broneck, K. (2012). "IM me": Instant messaging as relational maintenance and everyday communication. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 26(2-3), 291-314. https://doi.org/10.1177/0265407509106719
Schade, L. C., Sandberg, J. G., Bean, R. A., Busby, D. M., & Coyne, S. M. (2014). Using technology to connect in romantic relationships: Effects on attachment, relationship satisfaction, and stability in emerging adults. Journal of Couple & Relationship Therapy, 13(4), 274-295. https://doi.org/10.1080/15332691.2014.953651
Short, J., Williams, E., & Christie, B. (1976). The social psychology of telecommunications. John Wiley & Sons.
Smith, T. W., Baker, L. R., & Washburn, V. (2019). Relationship satisfaction in American couples: An overview. American Psychological Association.
Souza, M. A., & Hutz, C. S. (2016). The role of religion in relationship satisfaction in Brazil. Revista de Psicologia da IMED, 8(1), 37-52. https://doi.org/10.18256/2175-5027.2016.v8i1.1421
Sugimura, K., & Mizoguchi, H. (2018). Relationship dynamics and satisfaction in Japanese couples. Asian Journal of Social Psychology, 21(3), 132-144. https://doi.org/10.1111/ajsp.12217
Suler, J. (2016). The psychology of text relationships. In J. Suler, Psychology of the Digital Age: Humans Become Electric (pp. 201-220). Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781316423837.010
Suzuki, R. (2017). Marriage, family, and relationship satisfaction in Japan. Contemporary Japan, 29(2), 115-138. https://doi.org/10.1515/cj-2017-0012
Tossell, C. C., Kortum, P., Shepard, C., Rahmati, A., & Zhong, L. (2012). A longitudinal study of emoticon use in text messaging from smartphones. Computers in Human Behavior, 28(2), 659-663. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2011.11.012
Tsuya, N. O., Bumpass, L. L., Choe, M. K., & Rindfuss, R. R. (2015). Marriage, work, and family life in comparative perspective: Japan, South Korea, and the United States. East-West Center.
Twenge, J. M., Martin, G. N., & Spitzberg, B. H. (2019). Trends in US Adolescents' media use, 1976-2016: The rise of digital media, the decline of TV, and the (near) demise of print. Psychology of Popular Media Culture, 8(4), 329-345. https://doi.org/10.1037/ppm0000203
Van Hooff, J. (2015). Modern couples? Continuity and change in heterosexual relationships. International Journal of Sociology of the Family, 41(1), 37-57.
Walther, J. B. (2012). Theories of computer-mediated communication and interpersonal relations. In M. L. Knapp & J. A. Daly (Eds.), The SAGE Handbook of Interpersonal Communication (pp. 443-479). SAGE Publications.
Wilcox, W. B., & Wolfinger, N. H. (2016). Soul mates: Religion, sex, love, and marriage among African Americans and Latinos. Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195394238.001.0001
Yamamoto, Y., & Nakagawa, M. (2016). Leisure activities and marital satisfaction in Japan. International Journal of Social Sciences, 4(3), 45-58.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2024 Elvis Gaston
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (CC-BY) 4.0 License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgment of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
