Too much or too little messaging? Situational determinants of guilt about mobile messaging
Halfmann A, Meier A, Reinecke L (2021)
Publication Language: English
Publication Type: Journal article, Original article
Publication year: 2021
Journal
Book Volume: 26
Pages Range: 72-90
Issue: 2
Journal Issue: 2
DOI: 10.1093/jcmc/zmaa018
Abstract
Mobile messaging has been associated with guilt. Guilt about too much messaging may result from self-control failures during goal conflicts. Conversely, guilt about too little messaging may result from violating the salient norm to be available. This research considers both boundary conditions of guilt about mobile communication—goal conflicts and availability norm salience—simultaneously for the first time. We conducted two preregistered experiments to investigate their interplay. Results from a vignette experiment, but not from a laboratory experiment, support the hypotheses that goal conflicts trigger guilt about using messengers and that guilt about not using messengers arises if the availability norm is salient. In both studies, using messengers elicited more guilt than not using messengers. The boundary conditions did not interact in influencing guilt. Overall, this research emphasizes the importance of self-control, norms, and usage contexts when studying effects of mobile media use on emotional well-being.
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Involved external institutions
Germany (DE)How to cite
APA:
Halfmann, A., Meier, A., & Reinecke, L. (2021). Too much or too little messaging? Situational determinants of guilt about mobile messaging. Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication, 26(2), 72-90. https://dx.doi.org/10.1093/jcmc/zmaa018
MLA:
Halfmann, Annabell, Adrian Meier, and Leonard Reinecke. "Too much or too little messaging? Situational determinants of guilt about mobile messaging." Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication 26.2 (2021): 72-90.
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