Skip to Main Content
 

Global Search Box

 
 
 
 

Files

File List


bgsu1270157782.pdf (703.92 KB)

ETD Abstract Container

Abstract Header

The Role of Texting Motivations in Moderating the Relation between Compulsive Texting and Adolescents' Adjustment

Domoff, Sarah E.
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1270157782

Abstract Details

2010, Master of Arts (MA), Bowling Green State University, Psychology/Clinical.
Over the past several years, text messaging has dramatically increased among youth, but there is limited research on how compulsive texting relates to children's adjustment. The purpose of the current study was to examine the relation of compulsive texting to adjustment indices drawn from literature on internet addiction (e.g., academic adjustment, aggression, internalizing symptoms) and, based on the Uses and Gratifications Model, examine how motivations for texting (e.g., efficiency, escapism, intimacy, perceived control over social interactions) moderated the relation between compulsive texting and the adjustment variables. For exploratory purposes, sex was examined as an additional moderator. Survey data were collected from 403 students in the 8th and 11th grades in a rural Midwestern community. Correlational analyses supported the hypothesis that higher levels of compulsive texting would relate to higher levels of aggression and internalizing symptoms and lower levels of academic adjustment. Sex differences were found on the relation between compulsive texting and internalizing symptoms and on the relation between compulsive texting and academic adjustment. For these relations, significant correlations were found only for females. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses supported the hypotheses that the escapism motivation for texting and the perceived control over social interactions motivation for texting moderated the relation between compulsive texting and internalizing symptoms, for both males and females. These motivations strengthened the relation between compulsive texting and internalizing symptoms, suggesting that they could serve as vulnerability factors. Although the study is correlational and causality cannot be determined, the findings have implications for theory and practice. For example, it could be that deficits in coping skills (escapism motivation) or discomfort in face-to-face social interactions (perceived control over social interactions motivation) relate to the etiology of compulsive texting. Awareness of youth's motivations for texting can inform parents and educators about the nature of problematic texting and directions to take to restrict excessive use.
Eric Dubow, PhD (Committee Chair)
Carolyn Tompsett, PhD (Committee Member)
Anne Gordon, PhD (Committee Member)
128 p.
Psychology
texting; text message; text messaging; cell phones; cellular phones; adolescent; academic; depression; loneliness; addiction

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Domoff, S. E. (2010). The Role of Texting Motivations in Moderating the Relation between Compulsive Texting and Adolescents' Adjustment [Master's thesis, Bowling Green State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1270157782

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Domoff, Sarah. The Role of Texting Motivations in Moderating the Relation between Compulsive Texting and Adolescents' Adjustment. 2010. Bowling Green State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1270157782.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Domoff, Sarah. "The Role of Texting Motivations in Moderating the Relation between Compulsive Texting and Adolescents' Adjustment." Master's thesis, Bowling Green State University, 2010. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1270157782

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

bgsu1270157782
5,055
© 2010, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Bowling Green State University and OhioLINK.