Communication and the self: past, present, and future

This essay serves as an introduction to the special issue on “Communication and the Self.” For over a century, scholars have been intensely interested in how communication intersects with the self, including foci on impression management, identity, and self-esteem. In recent years, new developments in technology and changing societal structures have prompted researchers to consider how traditional theories fare when applied in new contexts. In this introductory essay, we begin with a discussion of the theoretical and pragmatic importance of this topic to researchers across the field of communication. We then introduce each of the five manuscripts included in the special issue and pose overarching themes. We conclude by identifying ongoing challenges to the study of communication and the self and offering suggestions for strategies to approach these topics moving forward.