Work

Emotional support during times of stress: Can text messaging compete with in-person interactions?

Year: 2017

Type: article

Study designs: Randomized Controlled Trial, Clinical Trial

Abstract: There has been a recent and dramatic surge in the popularity of text messaging as a means of connecting with our social networks. The current research represents the first randomized controlled studies to directly compare both the social and emotional impact of social support provided in-person versus through text messaging. In two lab-based experiments, emerging adults completed a stressful task and were randomly assigned to receive emotional support either in-person, via text messaging, or no support at all. Support was provided by a close friend in experiment 1 ( n = 64), and by a similar-aged confederate in experiment 2 ( n = 188). In both experiments, in-person support was associated with significantly higher positive affect compared to text messaging. In-person support also led to greater satisfaction with support, but only in experiment 2. Overall, this research suggests that there may be emotional costs to a reliance on digital forms of social communication during times of stress.

Source: Computers in Human Behavior

DOI: 10.1016/j.chb.2017.01.043

Authors: Susan Holtzman, Drew DeClerck, Kara Turcotte, Diana Lisi, Michael Woodworth

Institutions: University of British Columbia, University of British Columbia, Okanagan Campus

Language: English

Topic: Attachment and Relationship Dynamics

Subfield: Social Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,780