ABSTRACT Much of the work on media multiplexity theory (MMT) is based on unestablished relationships, in which more channels are presumed to be indicative of higher relational closeness. But a different set of relational dynamics may be at play in preexisting acrimonious partnerships. In this article, we investigate the use of different modes of communication by high-conflict separated parents (media multiplexity), and map changes in modes of communication (modality switching). Qualitative data from 68 separated parents in Australia who reported chronic parental acrimony suggest that a considerable amount of modality switching occurred post-separation. Consistent with MMT, multiplexity was evident but the degree of multiplexity was not as clearly related with the degree of closeness in the co-parental relationship as would be otherwise predicted by MMT. Recent insights into more pernicious forms of family dynamics set an important challenge for communication theories to better account for ex-couple motivational complexities.

中文翻译：

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高冲突分居父母之间的沟通方式：探讨媒体多重性和模式切换的作用

摘要关于媒体多路复用理论（MMT）的许多工作都是基于未建立的关系，其中假定有更多的渠道表示较高的关系亲密性。但是，在原有的伙伴关系中，一组不同的关系动力可能正在发挥作用。在本文中，我们研究高冲突的父母分离（媒体多路复用）对不同通信方式的使用，并绘制通信方式的变化（方式切换）。来自澳大利亚68位分居父母的定性数据报告了长期的父母尖酸刻薄，表明在分居后发生了大量的模态转换。与MMT一致，多重性是显而易见的，但多重性与共亲关系中的亲密程度并没有像MMT预测的那样明显。最近对更有害形式的家庭动力学的见解为交流理论更好地解释前夫妻的动机复杂性提出了重要挑战。