Abstract
Widespread use of computer-mediated communication (CMC) for exchanging social support has raised questions about the support-related implications of CMC. This study drew from the dual-process theory of supportive message outcomes and examined the implications of CMC for support message processing and outcomes. We hypothesized that the reduced social cues in CMC would encourage greater elaboration on support message content and lead support messages to have a greater impact than in face-to-face interaction. The results of the experiment showed that, although the support message was held constant, participants in the CMC condition reported the strongest motivation to receive support, engaged in the greatest level of message elaboration, and experienced the most beneficial changes in worry and uncertainty discrepancy.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 553-576 |
| Number of pages | 24 |
| Journal | Human Communication Research |
| Volume | 42 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Oct 1 2016 |
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Keywords
- Computer-Mediated Communication
- Dual-Process Theory of Supportive Message Outcomes
- Social Support
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Communication
- Developmental and Educational Psychology
- Anthropology
- Linguistics and Language
Cite this
The Implications of Computer-Mediated Communication (CMC) for Social Support Message Processing and Outcomes : When and Why Are the Effects of Support Messages Strengthened During CMC? / Rains, Stephen A; Brunner, Steven R.; Akers, Chelsie; Pavlich, Corey A.; Tsetsi, Eric.
In: Human Communication Research, Vol. 42, No. 4, 01.10.2016, p. 553-576.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
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TY - JOUR
T1 - The Implications of Computer-Mediated Communication (CMC) for Social Support Message Processing and Outcomes
T2 - When and Why Are the Effects of Support Messages Strengthened During CMC?
AU - Rains, Stephen A
AU - Brunner, Steven R.
AU - Akers, Chelsie
AU - Pavlich, Corey A.
AU - Tsetsi, Eric
PY - 2016/10/1
Y1 - 2016/10/1
N2 - Widespread use of computer-mediated communication (CMC) for exchanging social support has raised questions about the support-related implications of CMC. This study drew from the dual-process theory of supportive message outcomes and examined the implications of CMC for support message processing and outcomes. We hypothesized that the reduced social cues in CMC would encourage greater elaboration on support message content and lead support messages to have a greater impact than in face-to-face interaction. The results of the experiment showed that, although the support message was held constant, participants in the CMC condition reported the strongest motivation to receive support, engaged in the greatest level of message elaboration, and experienced the most beneficial changes in worry and uncertainty discrepancy.
AB - Widespread use of computer-mediated communication (CMC) for exchanging social support has raised questions about the support-related implications of CMC. This study drew from the dual-process theory of supportive message outcomes and examined the implications of CMC for support message processing and outcomes. We hypothesized that the reduced social cues in CMC would encourage greater elaboration on support message content and lead support messages to have a greater impact than in face-to-face interaction. The results of the experiment showed that, although the support message was held constant, participants in the CMC condition reported the strongest motivation to receive support, engaged in the greatest level of message elaboration, and experienced the most beneficial changes in worry and uncertainty discrepancy.
KW - Computer-Mediated Communication
KW - Dual-Process Theory of Supportive Message Outcomes
KW - Social Support
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84987762640&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84987762640&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1111/hcre.12087
DO - 10.1111/hcre.12087
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:84987762640
VL - 42
SP - 553
EP - 576
JO - Human Communication Research
JF - Human Communication Research
SN - 0360-3989
IS - 4
ER -