”DARLING, WE NEED TO TALK. SWITCH ON YOUR PHONE, PLEASE!” Patterns of Communication Channel Use for Self- Disclosure in Long-Distance Romantic Relationships

Abstract

Based on social penetration theory, social information processing theory and media synchronicity theory, the present study explores the role of different communication channels in romantic relationships in terms of self-disclosure. Especially, it seeks to investigate how self-disclosure influences the choice of communication channel use within long-distance romantic relationships. A total of 101 respondents participated in an online survey. Even though instant messenger was found to be the most frequently used mediated channel within any kind of romantic relationships, it is not used when self-disclosing intimate matters. Face-to-face was found to be the preferred channel for self-diclsoure followed by telephone among long-distance couples exceeding web cam call. This is an indication that cue multiplicity of computer-mediated channels, does not account for a preferred use. Cue multiplicity here refers to the amount of different ways of how messages can be transported, one example would be the tone of voice (Dennis & Vallacich, 1999).