Examining Text Messaging Frequency, Interpersonal Communication Skills, and Relational Satisfaction among College-Age Students: A Correlational Study

Interpersonal relationships have been more defined by communication technologies with text messaging being the most frequently used means among 18--29 year olds. However, the extent to which frequency of text messaging has diminished or displaced interpersonal communication has uncovered minimal research. The purpose of this correlational study was to examine the effects that frequent texting had on interpersonal communication skills and relational satisfaction of college-age students who used frequent texting as a modality of communication in their relationships. The sample consisted of 206 college-age students, 18--29 years old, attending a Southwest community college in Arizona Three findings emerged from hypothesis testing: first, a moderate positive relationship was found between interpersonal communication skills and relational satisfaction (p<.05); second, interpersonal communication skills was a significant individual predictor of relational satisfaction (p<.05); and third, one significant regression model reinforced finding 2, and indicated that collectively texting frequency and interpersonal communications combined explained 13.9 % of the variance of relational satisfaction (p<.05). Implications were that text messaging as a medium did not hinder or help competent communicators, and that the flexibility of proficient communicators may be useful for successful relationships. Another implication was that text messaging could result in greater emotional closeness that could increase relational satisfaction for those students who texted socially. The findings supported Social Penetration theory in texting relationships and, recommendations for practice included (a) understanding the use of text messaging in relationships is increasingly progressing, and (b) to increase awareness that with this progression, competent interpersonal communication may occur in mediated contexts not solely face-to-face communication interactions. Recommendations for future research included (a) a quantitative quasi experimental study to further explore the predictors of relational satisfaction and (b) replication of this study with quantitative multiple regression design to further analyze texting frequency with a more representative sample, various relationship types such as romantic, peer, family, and a progressive theoretical framework.