Why Taiwanese students use Instant Messaging: a uses and gratifications approach

Date
2008-01-01
Authors
Chen, Ko-Jung
Major Professor
Advisor
Daniela V. Dimitrova
Suman Lee
Brian E. Mennecke
Committee Member
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Altmetrics
Authors
Research Projects
Organizational Units
Journal Issue
Series
Department
Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication
Abstract

The goal of this study was to investigate the gratifications Taiwanese students sought and obtained from Instant Messaging use (IM). This study also examined the relationship among gratifications Taiwanese students obtained, gender, and their frequency of IM use. A 13-motivation with 37 statements scale derived from previous uses and gratifications studies is presented along with the demographic information as an instrument to determine Taiwanese students' gratifications from IM use. The participants were 406 undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral college students, who are the primary users of this new interactive communication technology. The results indicated there were 10 gratifications sought (Flexibility, Escape, Convenience, Companionship, Socialization, Control, Habit, Identity, Utility, and Surveillance) and nine gratifications obtained (Convenience, Escape, Companionship, Socialization, Mobility, Identity, Surveillance, Control, and Utility) from IM use. Gratifications obtained were positively associated with the frequency of IM use. Gender differences that lead to different gratifications obtained and frequency of IM use per week were also found.

Comments
Description
Keywords
Citation
Source