Multimodal connectedness and quality of life: Examining the influences of technology adoption and interpersonal communication on well-being across the Life Span

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between the number of communication technologies used for social interactions (i.e., multimodal connectedness) and well-being across the lifespan. Consistent with the assumptions of media multiplexity, multimodal connectedness and frequency of strong-tie communication enhanced well-being, but only for older-age cohorts (35-54 and 55-70+). For young adults (18-34), multimodal connectedness and frequency of weak-tie communication diminished well-being. The findings are framed in terms of differing motives for maintaining social relations across the lifespan, as maintenance of relationships with strong ties become more important and the number of weak ties contract as people age.