Texting V/S face to face communication: a critical study and the stress levels associated with it

Abstract

In the present age, Texting has become an inseparable and unavoidable part of one’s life. It has modified the manner in which we communicate and socialize. It is not only the most frequently used tool of communication, especially among the youth, but also it has developed into a scale or a technique to feel collective. Thus ushering us to analyze its benefits and the extent to which helps us to choose this form of communication over others, namely, face to face. This paper critically analyses two methods of communication: texting and Face to Face communication, between males and females, comparatively and the stress levels associated with both if any. The study focuses on factors that direct people towards using either of these tools of communication and it’s consequences on their stress levels. The research conducted consists of 100 participants,50 males and 50 females, aged 18 to 24, from diverse backgrounds. The research instruments used are questionnaires and the Perceived Stress Scale by Sheldon Cohen which has 10 items. The findings of this study depicted that the participants, both males, and females, are aware that texting is stressful as a form of communication and has more drawbacks for them compared to a face-to-face conversation and also the conflict between their preferences and actual usages. The study also aims to analyze how one form affects another in this aspect along with means through which the negative implications and stress be tackled, helping us use these convenient forms of communication to its fullest, in a healthy manner.