Text Messaging and Connectedness Within Close Interpersonal Relationships

Abstract

Research shows that text messages, short type-written messages sent via mobile telephones, are primarily being used to commence, advance, maintain, or otherwise impact interpersonal relationships. This study describes how respondents perceive and use text messages within close interpersonal dyads. Interviews with dyads resulted in three main themes. Users found texting to be more constant and private than mobile voice interaction. Respondents used texting both to assert autonomy and to maintain connectedness with relational partners. Romantic pairs vis-à-vis nonromantic dyads perceived the benefits of text messages differently.

KEYWORDS:

• CMC
• connectedness
• interpersonal relationships
• relational dialectics
• SMS
• text messages

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

I thank my thesis committee, Dr. John Parrish-Sprowl, Dr. Sandra Petronio, and Dr. Ron Sandwina, as well as Dr. Gail Whitchurch for their revisions and suggestions on this project. Also, I thank Dr. Sue Steinmetz whose encouragement propelled this manuscript toward review.