Cell Phone Addiction, Anxiety, and Willingness to Communicate in Face-to-Face Encounters. (1st September 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Allred, Ryan J.; Atkin, David
• Is Part Of: Communication reports. Volume 33:Number 3(2020)
• Page Start: 95
• Page End: 106
• Publication Date: 2020-09-01
• Subjects: addiction -- anxiety -- cell phones -- willingness to communicate; Communication -- Research -- Periodicals; Communication -- Methodology -- Periodicals; 302.205
• DOI: 10.1080/08934215.2020.1780456
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0893-4215

Abstract

Abstract : The permeation of cell phone technology continues to alter human behavior by changing the way individuals communicate with both physically distant and co-present others. Despite their numerous communicative affordances, past research suggests potential negative effects when cell phones are over-used. Results from an online survey (N = 498) indicate that cell phone addiction was positively associated with experiences of anxiety. Anxiety, in turn, was negatively associated with willingness to engage in face-to-face communication. These findings suggest cell phones serve to improve communication with distant others while also posing a potential threat to the quality of communication with co-present others.