We’re Going Streaking!: Associations Between the Gamification of Mediated Communication and Relational Closeness

Figures & data

Figure 1 Image of Snap Streaks¹

Table 1 Terminology Regarding Snapchat Streaks

Term	Meaning
Snap	An individual message sent via the Snapchat app. Predominantly audiovisual content, sometimes with a text overlay.
(Snap) Streak	Metric of consecutive 24-hour periods in which each member of a communicative pair has sent each other a Snap, established after three days of consecutive Snaps, denoted next to target’s name with the Streak number a flame emoji (see Figure 1).
Streak Snap	A Snap (with any content) sent to maintain a (Snap) Streak.
Black Snap	Streak Snaps containing blank or black pictures (e.g., taking a picture with the camera lens covered).

Table 2 Descriptives and Bivariate Correlations Among Study Variables

	M	SD	1	2	3	4	5
1. Current Streak count with target	508.3	540.85	–
2. Percentage of Streak Snaps	40.06	34.39	.16*	–
3. Interpersonal motive	5.12	1.59	.18*	.17	–
4. Entertainment motive	3.37	1.47	.14	.25**	.40***	–
5. Relational closeness	5.29	1.65	.05	−.30***	.16*	.09	–

*p ≤ .05.**p ≤ .01.***p ≤ .001

Figure 2 Post Hoc Parallel Mediation Tests

Unstandardized regression coefficients are presented.

*p ≤ .05.**p ≤ .01.***p ≤ .001