Research article summary (published 30 Jul 2006):

Online communication preferences across age, gender, and duration of Internet use.

Full Abstract

The present study explored variations in online communication and relationship preferences for friends, family, coworkers, and unknown individuals across gender (men, women), age (young, middle, late), and duration of Internet use (low, medium, high). A total of 174 individuals participated in this study. They were divided into two gender (86 men and 88 women), three age (60 young, 60 middle, and 54 late) and three Internet use duration (60 low, 58 medium, and 54 high) groups. All participants completed several questionnaires that assessed online communication and relationship building preferences. Results indicated no significant main effect for gender and online communication and relationship preferences. The main effect for age was significant for online communication with friends and unknown individuals. Young adults indicated their higher preferences for online communication with friends and unknown individuals compared to middle and late adult age groups. The main effect for duration of Internet use was significant for online communication and relationship preferences. High Internet users indicated higher scores on online communication and relationship building, compared to their counterparts. No significant main effects for duration of Internet use were significant on any of the offline characteristics. Implications of these findings and their relevance to mental health issues and organizational environment were discussed.

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Author information

Author/s: Thayer, Stacy E (SE); Ray, Sukanya (S);

Affiliation: Linkage, Inc., Burlington, Massachusetts 01803, USA. sthayer(-atsign-)linkageinc.com

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article

Journal: Cyberpsychology & behavior : the impact of the Internet, multimedia and virtual reality on behavior and society (Cyberpsychol Behav), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2006-Aug; vol 9 (issue 4) : pp 432-40

Dates: Created 2006/08/11; Completed 2006/12/14;

PMID: 16901247, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 12/26/2008)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Adult Age Factors Analysis of Variance Attitude to Computers Communication Consumer Satisfaction Female Humans Internet - utilization

Interpersonal Relations Male Middle Aged Questionnaires Reference Values Sex Factors Social Support Statistics, Nonparametric Time Factors

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