Identity Gap: Mediator Between Communication Input and Outcome Variables

Abstract

After introducing the concept of identity gap, this study investigated the roles of 3 identity gaps (personal-enacted, personal-relational, and enacted-relational) in the relations between 2 communication input variables (assertiveness and communication apprehension) and a communication outcome variable (communication satisfaction). The results showed that the communication input variables did not have significant direct effects on the communication outcome variable. The effects of the communication input variables were transmitted to the communication outcome through the identity gaps. A personal-enacted identity gap directly mediated the effects of the communication inputs on the outcome. Personal-relational and enacted-relational identity gaps indirectly mediated the effects via a personal-enacted identity gap—that is, both communication inputs significantly predicted a personal-enacted identity gap, but neither a personal-relational nor an enacted-relational identity gap. However, a personal-enacted identity gap significantly predicted the other 2 identity gaps. Then, all 3 identity gaps significantly predicted communication satisfaction.

Keywords:

• Assertiveness
• Communication Apprehension
• Communication Satisfaction
• Identity Gap

Notes

A variable has partial mediation effects when the first two conditions for a mediator, which Baron and Kenny (1986) identified, are met (an independent variable significantly predicts a potential mediator, and this possible mediator significantly predicts a dependent variable). A variable is a sufficient mediator when Baron and Kenny's third condition is also met (originally significant effects of an independent variable on a dependent variable become nonsignificant when effects of the independent variable on a mediator and effects of the mediator on the dependent variable are controlled).

Judd and Kenny's (1981) conditions for mediation effects of plural variables are as follows: (a) a variable in a sequence of relations affects the variable that follows it, when all variables prior to it are controlled; and (b) originally significant direct effects of the independent variable on the dependent variable change to nonsignificant when the mediating variables are controlled. Satisfying the first condition suggests partial mediation effects. The mediation effects are sufficient when both conditions are met.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Eura Jung

Eura Jung (Ph.D., The Pennsylvania State University, 2004) is an associate professor in the Department of Communication Studies at the University of Southern Mississippi.