Do we get each other right online? The impact of perceptions and misperceptions of others’ communication styles on social well-being

Background As digital communication takes on a central role in cross-cultural exchange, it is increasingly important to understand the factors that influence how communication styles are perceived and misinterpreted across cultures. While previous research has explored communication preferences, little is known about how individual biases and perceived social norms around communication styles influence well-being in digital spaces. Methods A dual-measurement approach, capturing both intraindividual biases and misperceptions, was used to examine their effects on social well-being and problematic social media use across two distinct cultural groups: the United Kingdom (UK) and Arab Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. Participants rated their use and how they perceive others’ use of eight online communication styles ( e.g ., Direct vs . Indirect, Being-centered vs . Doing-centered), allowing for the quantification of personal bias and deviation from actual group norms. Results Structural equation modelling revealed that misperceptions were robust predictors of well-being and problematic use. However, the relationship between perception of communication styles, well-being, and problematic social-media use differed across these cultures. Conclusion The findings of the study highlight the importance of accounting for both individual bias and misperception in understanding the psychosocial effects of digital communication. Rather than being driven solely by personal preferences, online behaviours and their consequences are shaped by how individuals interpret and misread the digital norms of others. This deeper understanding lays the groundwork for future investigations and the development of context-aware interventions in multicultural digital environments.