Effects of mediated communication on conflict behavior, resolution, and affect in romantic couples

Abstract

Mediated communication such as text messaging influences how romantic couples engage in and perceive conflict interactions, but the precise nature of these effects is unclear. We randomly assigned 43 romantic couples to engage in a conflict interaction either face-to-face ( n = 23 couples) or using a text-based messaging application ( n = 20 couples). Participants completed self-report measures of positive and negative conflict behaviors (e.g., humor and hostility), perceived progress toward conflict resolution, and positive and negative affect (e.g., inspired and afraid). Participants who engaged in more positive conflict behaviors reported more progress toward conflict resolution and more positive affect. Positive conflict behaviors were lower in text-based than face-to-face interactions. Progress toward conflict resolution, positive and negative affect, and negative conflict behaviors did not differ between text-based and face-to-face conflict interactions. The findings highlight the utility of examining both positive and negative conflict behaviors in mediated conflict and suggest that future research should further examine when and how participants compensate for a lack of nonverbal cues in mediated conflict.

Editable, Persistent, and Emotionally Expressive

“…Notably, channel affordances did not have a significant indirect effect on destructive conflict behavior through mobile text messaging or FtF communication. This result is in line with previous research that shows romantic couples report no significant differences in negative conflict behavior (Ruppel et al, 2021) or feelings of anger or distress (Pollmann et al, 2020) in FtF versus text-based conflict interactions. One explanation is that destructive conflict behavior can be emotionally overwhelming, and therefore in these cases it is possible that people would be less aware of channel affordances.…”

“…Second, the data shed light on mixed results regarding channel use and conflict behavior in romantic conflict. The results affirm that partners tend to experience less constructive conflict behavior in text-based versus FtF conflict interactions and no significant differences in destructive conflict behavior (Ruppel et al, 2021). This effect has been attributed to the difficulty some might have compensating for reduced cues when conveying positive emotion in text messaging or to online disinhibition (i.e., reduced concern for self-presentation or judgment by others; Joinson, 2007).…”

“…Some studies have examined the impact of channel use on conflict behavior, with mixed results. In experiments, romantic partners report experiencing more positive conflict behavior in FtF versus text-based interactions but no significant differences in negative conflict behavior (Ruppel et al, 2021) or feelings of anger or distress (Pollmann et al, 2020). In surveys, participants report no significant differences in integrative conflict strategies, which are similar to constructive conflict behaviors, in FtF versus text-based interactions with close others (Edwards et al, 2017), but significantly more dominant conflict strategies, which are like destructive conflict behaviors, in FtF versus text-based interactions with romantic partners (Makki, 2019).…”

“…Meta-analytic evidence has also shown that positive conflict behavior is positively related to relational satisfaction and negative conflict behavior is negatively related to relational satisfaction (Woodin, 2011). Studies have also shown that positive conflict behavior is positively associated with conflict resolution (e.g., Ruppel et al, 2021). Conflict behavior has important consequences.…”

“…Most studies that investigate channel use in couple conflict have examined the impact of the number of cues present in a channel (e.g., FtF communication vs. text-based messaging) on conflict and relational outcomes (e.g., Perry & Werner-Wilson, 2011;Ruppel et al, 2021). The theory or empirical precedent used in these studies evokes the explanatory power of channel affordances such as editability (Walther, 1992), bandwidth (Rice, 1987), and social presence (Short et al, 1976) without examining whether channel affordances are associated with romantic conflict outcomes.…”