The Effect of Anonymous Computer-Mediated Communication on State Anxiety: An Experimental Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 23 (12) ◽  
pp. 823-828
Author(s):  
Joshua A.B. Littler ◽  
Anthony Haffey ◽  
Shannon Wake ◽  
Helen F. Dodd
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Study ◽  
State Anxiety ◽  
Computer Mediated Communication ◽  
Mediated Communication ◽  
Computer Mediated

The effect of anonymous computer-mediated communication on state anxiety: An experimental study

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joshua A. B. Littler ◽  
Anthony Haffey ◽  
Shannon Jade Wake ◽  
Helen Dodd
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
State Anxiety ◽  
Computer Mediated Communication ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Moderate Increase ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Mediated Communication ◽  
Mental Health Issues ◽  
Computer Mediated ◽  
And Training

This study examined the effect of anonymous computer mediated communication (CMC) on state anxiety, specifically focusing on whether the valence of the interaction affected state anxiety prior to completing an anxiety-inducing task. To investigate this, 62 female participants aged 18-25 were randomly assigned to one of three conditions: positive CMC, negative CMC and writing a blog. Self-report measures of state anxiety were taken at: baseline; after participants had been given instructions about the anxiety-inducing task; after ten minutes of CMC/blog writing; and after the anxiety-inducing task had been completed. Results showed that participants in the positive CMC condition showed a significant and moderate decrease in anxiety following the CMC whereas those in the negative CMC condition showed a non-significant but moderate increase in anxiety following the CMC. Anxiety remained relatively unaffected by the blog condition. After completing the anxiety-inducing task there were no differences in anxiety scores between groups. The findings show that CMC can be beneficial for relieving state anxiety but that the valence of the communication is crucial. This has implications for advice and training given to those participating in and supporting CMC where mental health issues might be discussed.

scholarly journals Effective communication modes in multilingual encounters: Comparing alternatives in Computer Mediated Communication (CMC)

Multilingua ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Margot van Mulken ◽  
Berna Hendriks
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Study ◽  
Multinational Corporations ◽  
Native Language ◽  
Communication Strategies ◽  
Computer Mediated Communication ◽  
Mutual Understanding ◽  
Alternative Communication ◽  
Mediated Communication ◽  
Computer Mediated ◽  
Communication Modes

AbstractThis paper reports on an experimental study investigating alternative communication modes to English as a Lingua Franca. The purpose was to examine the effectiveness of different modes of communication and to gain insight in communication strategies used by interlocutors to solve referential conflicts. Findings show that ELF may not necessarily be the most effective mode of communication for speakers who do not share a native language. In the context of multinational corporations, RM may be regarded as a viable alternative to English for negotiating mutual understanding, particularly for speakers with (linguistically) closely related mother tongues.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document