Hall, Jeffrey A.Dominguez, Jess2025-02-102025-02-102023-05-312023http://dissertations.umi.com/ku:18915https://hdl.handle.net/1808/35887This dissertation used two studies to explore how memes are used interpersonally and how interpersonal media functions in partner’s relational communication. Study One used dyadic data from 81 same-sex friendships to illustrate how characteristics of the relationship (i.e., shared reality, closeness, responsiveness) can associate with perceiving idiomatic utterances like memes as relationally pertinent. Study Two used experience sampling data (n = 744) from 54 individuals to determine how the use of memes in daily mediated communication could positively associate with feeling connected and satisfied from mediated messages. Additionally, Study Two tested how the five functions of interpersonal media could also relate to perceptions of connection and communication satisfaction. These studies were meant to illustrate the bidirectionality of interpersonal media where the relationship may inform communication and messages shared can reinforce the bond of a relationship. The results of both studies are supportive of this bidirectionality. Specifically, the results from Study One suggest that close and responsive friends consider memes to be relationally pertinent in their ongoing relational communication. Findings from Study Two indicate that using memes and the five functions of interpersonal media can associate with feeling connected and satisfied with communication. However, moderation results indicate a negative interaction effect between certain functions and the presence of memes on connection and communication satisfaction. This dissertation offers useful evidence to continue building interpersonal research on memes.132 pagesenCopyright held by the author.Communicationcommunication satisfactionconnectioninterpersonal mediamemesrelational maintenanceDissertation0000-0001-8443-3935