Communication Accommodation in Technologically-Mediated Conflict Between Romantic Partners

UC North Ballroom, Presentation Pod 1

This study explores communication accommodation via technologically-mediated (e.g., text message) conversations of romantic couples. Although research has previously examined how partners engage in accommodation through face-to-face communication, less is known concerning how accommodation functions over text message, particularly when couples engage in conflict. Participants (N = 28) completed an online survey, where they provided two text conversations with their partner: one on a “good” day in their relationship, and one on a “bad” day. Using Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count (LIWC, 2015), we measured participants’ language matching in each conversation. Additionally, participants completed scales indicating perceived self- and partner-accommodation levels and conversation satisfaction. Results suggest that perceived partner accommodation relates to satisfaction during texting conflict more than it does to satisfaction with positive conversations. Lange style matching did not relate to conversation satisfaction or perceived accommodation. The current study offers theoretical and practical implications for Communication Accommodation Theory and technologically-mediated exchanges.