• Korean journal of communication and information
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• v.38
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• pp.119-146
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• 2007

The purpose of this paper is to explore the factors causing adolescents' habitual use of text-based online social interaction (TOSI). The authors of the present study assumed that adolescents' perceived intimacy would affect the use of TOSI. Using structural equation modeling, the influences of perceived social presence and Internet self-efficacy on habitual use of TOSI were examined indirectly as well as directly, with and without intimacy as a mediate factor. The results show that the indirect effects were proven to be stronger compared with the direct effects. Perceived intimacy appeared to encourage more frequent uses of TOSI. The effects of intimacy were even more stronger especially with those who had higher levels of Internet self-efficacy.