Mobile communication as invader in face-to-face interactions: An analysis of predictors for parallel communication habits

Mobile phone use has increased dramatically, and many users carry their phones 24 h a day. Consequently, mobile communication increasingly invades face-to-face interactions. In this paper, the researcher analyzes individual, social, and situational factors that predict such parallel communication habits. To this end, 339 smartphone users in Germany were asked about their smartphone usage habits, their availability management, and their parallel communication experiences. Subsequently, a multiple logistic regression was calculated to test which of the identified factors form predictors of a disposition to parallel communication. The findings confirm the assumption of significant influence from age, social usage motivation, usage habits of the peer group, individual evaluation of parallel communication, and expectations about the availability of others.