Uses of cellphone texting: An integration of motivations, usage patterns, and psychological outcomes

This study suggests an integrated model that explains the associations among motivations for using cellphone texting, usage patterns, and psychological consequences. Using data from an online survey (N = 335), the study identified motivations of communication with strong ties and weak ties, which were found to be associated with different usage patterns of cellphone texting. Further, time spent on cellphone texting was negatively associated with relationship satisfaction, while the number of text messages sent and received was associated with reduced feelings of loneliness through higher levels of perceived intimacy and relationship satisfaction.