Don’t Shoot the Multicommunicating Messenger!

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between multicommunicating (MC), the Big Five personality traits, social connectedness (SCS), and media multiplexity within an interpersonal context. To this date, little is known about the construct of MC within the interpersonal context, therefore this mixed methods research presents data that aims to improve our understanding of multicommunication, a communicative practice which entails being engaged in two or more conversations by using nearly synchronous media. The assessment of the answers to the research questions is shaped by an amalgam of personal behavior theories and social behavior theories. In addition, this study applies media multiplicity theory to examine how tie strength influences multicommunicating practices. A survey was conducted to investigate how personality and SCS influence MC. European residents (N = 107) completed a web-based questionnaire measuring frequency of MC, frequency of weak-tie MC and strong-tie MC, personality, and SCS. The findings of the web-based survey provide evidence that the frequency of MC was significantly positively related to the personality trait of Neuroticism and to Social Connectedness. Although SCS was significantly related to MC Frequency, this effect was semi-partially mediated by Extraversion. In addition, the quantitative results suggest a higher frequency level in close-tie MC in comparison to weak-tie MC. Results show that close-tie MC was positively associated with Extraversion and negatively related to Openness to experience. Additionally, it was found that weak-tie MC was positively associated with E. The analysis of in-depth interviews (N = 8) shows that the motivation for engaging in multicommunicating practice was positively associated with SCS, as well as productivity and constant availability. In addition, the qualitative findings indicate that MC was more frequently used between strong ties. Conversely, weak-tie MC was found to be avoided due to its negative relational outcomes that were linked to incivility and impoliteness. The implications of these findings for future research are discussed.