Virtual togetherness: A grounded theory investigation of the experience of companionship in computer-mediated friendships among adolescents

• Main Author: Lajom, Jennifer Ann L.
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 2007
• Subjects: Internet > Social aspects; Computer networks > Social aspects; Electronic discussion groups; Online chat groups; Psychology
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_masteral/3585; https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/context/etd_masteral/article/10423/viewcontent/CDTG004122_P__2_.pdf
• Institution: De La Salle University

The present study employed the grounded theory approach to explore the experience of companionship among online friends in the context of cyberspace. Existing literature in adolescent online friendship formation regarded companionship as one motivating factor for engaging in such relationship. However, there have been limited accounts that explained how companionship, a construct that emphasized the interaction closeness in physical space, thrives in a computer-mediated environment. Ten adolescents underwent interview sessions that described their interactions with their online friends in cyberspace. Data were subjected to three phases of analysis, namely, open, axial and selective coding to arrive at a core category. Results illustrated the experience of online companionship, labeled as virtual togetherness that included various elements that comprised the experience. These elements included online interactivity, means for online interactivity (i.e., avenues for interaction and perceptive envisioning), time element, sense of gut-feel, perceived degree of friendship closeness and consequences arising from friendship closeness. The elements of virtual togetherness, their relationships, as well as their implications in online friendship formation and maintenance are discussed.