Who (and with whom) uses more emoji? Exploring individual, relational, and motivational characteristics driving emoji use

Abstract

Emoji use, despite being pervasive in digital communication, is often dependent on individual characteristics (e.g., gender, age, personality), relational dimensions (e.g., intimacy with specific others), motives for using them (e.g., because emoji allow to better express emotions), and the context in which they are used (e.g., emoji use is considered more appropriate with closer interlocutors, such as friends). However, research has yet to examine if and how these variables associate with emoji use frequency when considered together. In a correlational study (N = 444), we explored the relative contribution of individual characteristics, perceived relatedness to others, and motives to explain the frequency of emoji use with different interlocutors. Hierarchical linear regressions showed that being younger, scoring higher on conscientiousness, and resorting to emoji for personal contact were correlates of emoji use frequency with closer interlocutors (e.g., family and friends). In contrast, being older, scoring lower on agreeableness, and perceiving more relational intimacy were correlates of emoji use frequency with more distant interlocutors (e.g., supervisors and doctors). Overall, results highlight the need to account for multiple variables at different levels to examine emoji use patterns in digital communication.