Correlation between Perceived Emotional Support and Satisfying Interpersonal Communication: Technology Enabled and In-Person

Abstract

In stark contrast to In-Person Communication (IPC), Technology Enabled Communication (TEC) presents challenges for interactions due to constraints on the transmission of social cues. This is hugely problematic as TEC increases the likelihood that messages will not be interpreted true to the meaning in which the sender intends. Despite the variety of ways individuals are connected through TEC, it seems that with missing social cues and modalities of communication, there is an overall sacrifice to the full potential of interactions. Instead of hearing and seeing the other, a text may substitute an impulse for communication at the cost of a substantial amount of unrealized social cues. Because the Mentalizing System (MS) and Mirror Neuron Systems (MNS) are central to participating in social interactions, the richest setting for having the ability to anticipate others’ intentions through gestural communication, imitation and empathy appears to take place in the context of IPC, with face-to-face interactions. Ultimately, well-being is impacted by how an individual uses TEC. As TEC communication with the identified support person increased, satisfaction with life scores decreased. As anticipated, however, IPC was shown to have a significant negative association with relationship stress in that higher rates of IPC were related to lower rates of stress within the relationship with the identified support person. keywords: Communication Satisfaction, Emotional Support, In-Person Communication, Technology Enabled Communication, Mirror Neurons, Mentalizing System