The Relationship between Computer-Mediated-Communication Competence, Apprehension, Self-Efficacy, Perceived Confidence, and Social Presence

The purpose of this study was to create a model for examining the relationships between computer-mediated-communication (CMC) apprehension, CMC skill, and CMC presence. Using structural-equation modeling, the study found that CMC apprehension and CMC skill negatively corelated with each other ( .36). Furthermore, CMC apprehension was not shown to relate to CMC presence ( .09), but CMC presence was shown to be impacted by CMC skill (.41). Increased skill in virtual environments likely enhances perceptions of presence in CMC.