| The goal of this study was to investigate the gratifications Taiwanese students sought and obtained from Instant Messaging use (IM). This study also examined the relationship among gratifications Taiwanese students obtained, gender, and their frequency of IM use. A 13-motivation with 37 statements scale derived from previous uses and gratifications studies is presented along with the demographic information as an instrument to determine Taiwanese students' gratifications from IM use. The participants were 406 undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral college students, who are the primary users of this new interactive communication technology. The results indicated there were 10 gratifications sought (Flexibility, Escape, Convenience, Companionship, Socialization, Control, Habit, Identity, Utility, and Surveillance) and nine gratifications obtained (Convenience, Escape, Companionship, Socialization, Mobility, Identity, Surveillance, Control, and Utility) from IM use. Gratifications obtained were positively associated with the frequency of IM use. Gender differences that lead to different gratifications obtained and frequency of IM use per week were also found. |
