Using instant messaging to enhance the interpersonal relationships of Taiwanese adolescents: evidence from quantile regression analysis
Lee, Y.-C.; Sun, Y.C.
Adolescence 44(173): 199-208
2009
ISSN/ISBN: 0001-8449 PMID: 19435175 Document Number: 631835
Even though use of the internet by adolescents has grown exponentially, little is known about the correlation between their interaction via Instant Messaging (IM) and the evolution of their interpersonal relationships in real life. In the present study, 369 junior high school students in Taiwan responded to questions regarding their IM usage and their dispositional measures of real-life interpersonal relationships. Descriptive statistics, factor analysis, and quantile regression methods were used to analyze the data. Results indicate that (1) IM helps define adolescents' self-identity (forming and maintaining individual friendships) and social-identity (belonging to a peer group), and (2) how development of an interpersonal relationship is impacted by the use of IM since it appears that adolescents use IM to improve their interpersonal relationships in real life.