Mobile Phone Use in AA Networks: An Exploratory Study

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore the role of mobile phone use for mutual support within social networks of Alcoholic Anonymous (AA). A sample of mobile phone owners and non-owners in AA was surveyed to assess their perceptions and uses of this technology. Mobile phone owners reported very positive perceptions of the technology as a resource for recovery and heavy use of the mobile phone for this purpose. Non-owners also reported positive perceptions of the mobile phone as a resource for recovery and that expense was the primary reason for not using a mobile phone in their recovery efforts. Heuristic, theoretical, and practical implications of the study are included in the discussion.

Keywords:

• Mobile Communication
• Mobile Phone
• Mobile Telephony
• Cell Phone
• Alcoholics Anonymous

Notes

1. S. B. Green et al. (2000) recommend using the d statistic as a measure for effect size of mean differences. Values for d can range from negative infinity to positive infinity, and absolute values of .2, .5, and .8 reflect small, medium, and large effect sizes, respectively.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Scott W. Campbell

Scott Campbell is Assistant Professor and Pohs Fellow of Telecommunications in the Department of Communication Studies at the University of Michigan