Is communication competence still good for interpersonal media?: Mobile phone and instant messenger

The concept of communication competence has developed in the area of nonmediated interpersonal communication. With the advent of digital media, interpersonal communication has been heavily dependent on interpersonal media. The sharp distinction between theories for nonmediated communication and mediated communication is disappearing. The interconnectedness of face-to-face communication and mediated interpersonal communication is a salient current phenomenon. To explore the relation between two communication types this study investigated the relevance of the concept of communication competence with the interpersonal digital media; mobile phone, SMS, and instant messenger. Three facets were examined in particular: namely, the direct effects of communication competence and the indirect effects through individuals’ cognitive process for interpersonal media and individuals’ characteristics in interpersonal communication. The hypothesized model of mediated interpersonal communication competence was analyzed using structural equation model. The results revealed that communication competence was positively associated with mediated interpersonal communication competence. The indirect effects of communication competence through media efficacy and social presence were empirically supported. Relationship maintenance was found to mediate the effect of communication competence on mediated interpersonal communication competence. The links of two different communication fields and the theoretical implications of the findings were further discussed.