Exploring freedom in mobile connectivity: a moderated mediation model linking mobile social media modes, availability pressure, and media habits

Abstract

In an era where mobile phone use is ubiquitous, being constantly available has become a prevalent norm. Grounded in the sociocognitive model of connectedness (SMC), this study examines the relationship between availability pressure and habitual checking of mobile social media while probing the moderating role of social media notifications in this relationship. Crucially, our study extends the SMC framework by investigating the various impacts of mobile social media modes on availability pressure and the habitual checking of mobile social media. The findings reveal a positive relationship between availability pressure and habitual checking, as well as the role of availability pressure in mediating the effects of voice calls and text messages on habitual checking of mobile social media. The moderated mediation model also reveals that the mediating effect of availability pressure is strengthened by an increase in social media notifications when individuals use voice calls and text messages to interact with friends on mobile social media. This research underscores the complex interplay among mobile social media modes, availability pressure, and social media notifications in shaping habitual media behaviors.

Keywords:

• Availability pressure
• habitual checking of mobile phones
• mobile social media modes
• social media notifications
• text messages
• voice calls

Disclosure statement

No potential conflicts of interest were reported by the authors.

Notes

1 The sociocognitive model of connectedness suggests that spatial and mental cues can also trigger connection norms and encourage habitual mobile phone use. Spatial cues, such as finding oneself in an environment where everyone is absorbed on their phones, and mental cues, such as the psychological need for relatedness, can activate connection norms and influence habitual behaviors related to mobile phone use.

2 The survey was distributed from January 4 to January 18, 2022.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Xueqing Li

Xueqing Li is an Associate Professor at the School of Media and Communication at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China. Her research examines the relational, social, and psychological aspects of mobile communication and political communication in Chinese societies.

Baoying Fu

Baoying Fu is a graduate student at the School of Media and Communication at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China. Her research interests center on interpersonal communication mediated by mobile phones and political communication in Chinese societies.

Irem Cifci

Irem Cifci is a graduate student at the School of Media and Communication at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China. Her research interests focus on the interpersonal and psychological aspects of mobile communication as well as migration and women’s studies.