Effect of Online Communication on Well-Being among Young Women: A Qualitative Analysis

Abstract

Online communication has become the primary mode of communicating among many young adults; in fact it has taken the place of face to face communication. The purpose of the present study was to understand the relationship between willingness to communicate, perceived interpersonal communication competence and online communication among young females and the ways in which it affects their well-being. Willingness to Communicate Scale and Interpersonal Communication Competence Inventory were administered to 100 females in the age group of 18-25 years and in depth qualitative interviews were then conducted and analysed using Thematic Analysis. Impact of online communication on well-being was found to be influenced by subjective factors. Females scoring high on willingness to communicate and perceived interpersonal communication competence reported higher levels of well-being on communicating face to face rather than using online communication. Thematic Analysis also revealed that factors such as familiarity with the mode of communication, ease of access, relationship with the person they are communicating with, context of communication etc also have an effect on how online communication affects their sense of well-being.