Searching for a connection: Internet communication and mobile phone use for social membership

Abstract

College students struggle to develop successful interpersonal relationships, explore personal identity and establish social group memberships. The purpose of this study was to explore measured levels of social connectedness and social assurance among undergraduate student users of Internet communication and mobile phone. Survey results indicated that the number of hours students used electronic communication tools was not related to their feelings of social connectedness on campus. However, the data indicated that students mixed electronic communication media to make connections, even to simultaneous use of mobile phone and Internet communication. Results supported the researcher's connection attachment theory, which proposed that students fulfilled needs for constant reassurance of friendship and social identity through electronic means. Implications for higher education are discussed.

Date of Award	2008
Original language	American English
Awarding Institution	Eastern Illinois University
Supervisor	Charles G Eberly (Supervisor)