Who You Are Can Predict What You Say on a Virtual Date: Traits as Predictors of Communication Patterns of Young Men Who Have Sex With Men

Authors

  • Liyuan Wang Children’s Hospital Los Angeles
  • Ashley Brown Department of Psychology, University of Southern California
  • Lynn C. Miller Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, University of Southern California

Keywords:

relational messages, SOLVE-IT, interpersonal communication, virtual dating, HIV

Abstract

Using virtual environments (VE), we examine—for the first time—how individuals’ traits predict “first date,” in-the-moment conversational choices. We look at how attachment anxiety, avoidance, and Behavioral Inhibition System (BIS) predict virtual conversational choices (i.e., to dismiss, deny, or reciprocate in virtual conversations during a virtual date). We tested this possibility through socially optimized learning in virtual environments (SOLVE-IT), a web-based, interactive 3D video game intervention designed for young men who have sex with men (YMSM) to reduce risky sexual behaviors. Data analyzed were drawn from 358 HIV-negative, self-identified MSM aged from 18 to 24, who were part of the SOLVE-IT intervention. Using ordinary least squares regression, we found that both BIS and attachment styles affect in-the-moment conversational responses and that attachment moderates the effects of BIS on those responses. The implications of these findings are discussed.

Author Biographies

Liyuan Wang, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles

Dr. Wang defended her dissertation on 12th, August 2021, at Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, University of Southern California. She is now a senior post-doctoral fellow in the division of Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine, Children’s Hospital, Los Angeles (CHLA). She is an interdisciplinary researcher of applied health communication, technology, and interpersonal communication. Her major research interests include theory-driven research designed to: (1) better understand and reduce disparities in at-risk populations and communities, especially for homeless and other at-risk youth of disadvantaged neighborhoods, (2), design and evaluate intervention components tailored to these populations, and (3) optimize the effectiveness and cost-effective reach of technology-enabled interventions programs (i.e. positive youth development programs).

Ashley Brown, Department of Psychology, University of Southern California

Dr. Brown is a post-doctoral reserach fellow at the department of psychology, University of Southern California. As a personality psychologist with an extensive background in physics and math, Dr Brown is interested in psychological Grand Unified Theories. To that end, her  research focuses on psychometrics and computational models of personality. 

Lynn C. Miller, Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, University of Southern California

Professor of CommunicationAnnenberg School for Communication and Journalism, University of Southern California

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Published

2022-11-30

Issue

Vol. 16 (2022)

Section

Articles

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