Interpersonal Communication Patterns of University Students in the Smartphone Era Based on Mental Health Conditions: A Qualitative Study in Makassar

Abstract

This qualitative phenomenological study investigates the complex relationship between mental health conditions and smartphone-mediated interpersonal communication among university students in Makassar, Indonesia. Using in-depth interviews with 18 participants from three universities, categorized by their Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) scores, the research explores how psychological well-being influences communication patterns. The study reveals five major themes: the smartphone as an emotional regulator, digital communication as a social safety net, technology-mediated relationship maintenance, anxiety-driven communication patterns, and cultural adaptation in digital spaces. The findings indicate that a student's mental health status is a crucial moderating factor that shapes how they engage with digital communication technologies. The study proposes a Digital Communication Adaptation Model (DCAM), a theoretical framework explaining how mental health conditions influence communication patterns. The research contributes to communication and mental health literature by offering a culturally sensitive model that bridges individual psychological factors with broader social contexts, providing insights for future research and practical interventions in this area.