Predicting telephone anxiety: use of digital communication technologies, language and cultural barriers, and preference for phone calls

Leanna T. Kim, Sang Hwa Oh

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

This study examines telephone anxiety, a form of communication apprehension associated with making and taking a phone call. We theorize that the use of digital communication technologies can influence how anxious one feels about speaking on the phone. Supporting our theorization, we found a positive correlation between using digital technologies and telephone anxiety. Also, such a correlation was greater among non-native English speakers, indicating that the effect of using digital communications could be greater among people with a language barrier. Lastly, findings demonstrated that telephone anxiety might lead to preferring other forms of communication over a phone conversation.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)156-168
Number of pages13
JournalCommunication Research Reports
Volume40
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - 2023

Keywords

  • Telephone anxiety
  • digital technologies
  • language barrier
  • millennials
  • phone conversation

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Communication

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