Credit: Katrin Glückler

Dr. Annabell Halfmann

Academic Staff

Profile

University of Mannheim
Institute for Media and Communication Studies
B 6, 30–32 – Room 428
68159 Mannheim

Phone: +49 621 181-3937
Fax: +49 621 181-1399
E-mail: halfmannuni-mannheim.de

Consultation hour(s):
By appointment

Dr. Annabell Halfmann is an academic staff member at the chair of Prof. Teresa Naab. Until April 2022, she was a Ph.D.-scholarship holder of the German Academic Scholarship Foundation (“Studienstiftung des deutschen Volkes”) and completed her doctorate at the chair of Prof. Peter Vorderer with a dissertation on self-control over mobile communication. Prior to that, she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in communication management and a master’s degree in media and communication studies.

Her main areas of research focus on media selection, processes, and effects. In particular, she examines self-regulation and social norms in the context of mobile media use, the relationship between media use and mental health, and the selection and effects of journalistic news against the backdrop of changes in journalistic content and its production conditions.

Annabell Halfmann holds seminars for BA and MA students that focus on communication theories and quantitative methods (e.g. experimental research designs). Furthermore, she is responsible for the approval of courses.

Halfmann, A., Schwenzer, J. & Naab, T. K. (2025). Small word change, large effect on news users? How the use of gender-inclusive language in news articles influences news selection and news engagement. Media Psychology, 1–24. https://doi.org/10.1080/15213269.2025.2570293
Halfmann, A., Wolfers, L. N. & Meeus, A. (2025). Can mothers avoid guilt about their smartphone usage behavior? Effects of the availability norm and goal conflict on guilt, recovery, and accomplishment experiences. Mobile Media & Communication, 13(1), 5–27. https://doi.org/10.1177/20501579241252098
Lutz, S., Schneider, F. M., Halfmann, A., Freytag, A. & Hefner, D. (2025). Navigating social pressure to be available: The roles of mindfulness and need experiences in messenger users’ well-/ill-being. Mobile Media & Communication, 1–24. https://doi.org/10.1177/20501579251370458
Halfmann, A., Meier, A. & Reinecke, L. (2024). Trapped between goal conflict and availability norm? How users’ mobile messaging behavior during task engagement influences negative self-conscious emotions. Journal of Media Psychology, 36(1), 45–57. https://doi.org/10.1027/1864-1105/a000381
Schneider, F. M., Lutz, S., Halfmann, A., Meier, A. & Reinecke, L. (2022). How and when do mobile media demands impact well-being? Explicating the Integrative Model of Mobile Media Use and Need Experiences (IM³UNE). Mobile Media & Communication, 10(2), 251–271. https://doi.org/10.1177/20501579211054928
Vanden Abeele, M. M. P., Halfmann, A. & Lee, E. W. J. (2022). Drug, demon, or donut? Theorizing the relationship between social media use, digital well-being and digital disconnection. Current Opinion in Psychology, 45(Articel 101295), 1–7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.copsyc.2021.12.007
Halfmann, A. (2021). Digging deeper into the reasons for self-control failure: Both intrinsic and extrinsic motivations to use mobile communication shape self-control processes. Mass Communication and Society, 24(6), 843–866. https://doi.org/10.1080/15205436.2021.1968437
Halfmann, A., Meier, A. & Reinecke, L. (2021). Too much or too little messaging? Situational determinants of guilt about mobile messaging. Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication : JCMC, 26(2), 72–90. https://doi.org/10.1093/jcmc/zmaa018
Halfmann, A., Dech, H., Riemann, J., Schlenker, L. & Wessler, H. (2019). Moving closer to the action: How viewers’ experiences of eyewitness videos in TV news influence the trustworthiness of the reports. Journalism & Mass Communication Quarterly : JMCQ, 96(2), 367–384. https://doi.org/10.1177/1077699018785890
Halfmann, A. & Rieger, D. (2019). Permanently on call: The effects of social pressure on smartphone users’ self-control, need satisfaction, and well-being. Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication : JCMC, 24(4), 165–181. https://doi.org/10.1093/jcmc/zmz008
Schneider, F. M. & Halfmann, A. (2019). Digitales Wohlbefinden und Salutogenese. Medien + Erziehung : Merz, 63(1), 20–27. https://doi.org/10.31235/osf.io/6fcsg
Vorderer, P. & Halfmann, A. (2019). Why do we entertain ourselves with media narratives? A theory of resonance perspective on entertainment experiences. Annals of the International Communication Association, 43(2), 79–96. https://doi.org/10.1080/23808985.2019.1599298

Halfmann, A. (2017). Die Anwendbarkeit von Theorien über Verhaltensnormen auf multinationale Unternehmen : eine empirische Untersuchung und theoretische Analyse am Beispiel der Debatte über die Textilindustrie in Bangladesch . Münster: readbox unipress.

Halfmann, A. & Reinecke, L. (2021). Binge-watching as case of escapist entertainment use. In P. Vorderer & C. Klimmt (eds.), The Oxford handbook of entertainment theory (S. 181–203). New York, NY: Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780190072216.013.11
Schneider, F. M., Halfmann, A. & Vorderer, P. (2019). POPC and the good life: A salutogenic take on being permanently online, permanently connected. In J. A. Muñiz-Velázquez (eds.), The Routledge handbook of positive communication : contributions of an emerging community of research on communication for happiness and social change (S. 295–303). London ; New York, NY: Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315207759-30
Owen, B., Heisterkamp, B., Halfmann, A. & Vorderer, P. (2018). Trait mindfulness and problematic smartphone use. In D. Grimes (eds.), Empirical studies of contemplative practices (S. 181–206). New York, NY: Nova Science Publishers.

Halfmann, A., Schwenzer, J. & Naab, T. K. (2025). Der Einfluss gendergerechter Sprache auf Nachrichten-Selektion und -Engagement. DGPuK 2025, 70. Jahrestagung der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Publizistik- und Kommunikationswissenschaft, Berlin, Germany.
Halfmann, A., Schwenzer, J. & Naab, T. K. (2025). Ostrazismus als Erklärmechanismus für den Einfluss gendergerechter Sprache auf die selektive Auswahl von Nachrichten? Jahrestagung der Fachgruppe Rezeptions- und Wirkungsforschung in der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Publizistik- und Kommunikationswissenschaft (DGPuK), Bamberg, Germany.
Halfmann, A., Schwenzer, J. & Naab, T. K. (2025). Small word change, large effect on news users? How the use of gender-inclusive language in news articles influences news selection and news engagement. ICA 2025, 75th Annual Conference of the International Communication Association (ICA), Denver, CO.
Halfmann, A., Naab, T. K. & Schwenzer, J. (2024). Gender-fair language in news articles: Investigating the effects of gender-inclusive language in news articles on reading interest, comprehensibility, trustworthiness, online participation, and attitudes of readers towards this language.. 74th Annual ICA Conference Communication and Global Human Rights (ICA 2024), Gold Coast, Australia, Hybrid.
Halfmann, A., Naab, T. K. & Schwenzer, J. (2024). Geschlechtergerechte Sprache in Nachrichtenartikeln: Wie lassen sich kurz- und mittelfristige Effekte auf die Rezipient*innen untersuchen? Jahrestagung der Fachgruppe Rezeptions- und Wirkungsforschung in der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Publizistik und Kommunikationswissenschaft (DGPuK), Fribourg, Switzerland.
Naab, T. K., Halfmann, A. & Schnauber-Stockmann, A. (2024). Situativ, kumulativ und im Aggregat? Selbst-Effekte der Nutzung sozialer Medien. Jahrestagung der Fachgruppe Rezeptions- und Wirkungsforschung in der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Publizistik und Kommunikationswissenschaft (DGPuK), Fribourg, Switzerland.
Halfmann, A., Meier, A. & Reinecke, L. (2023). Gefangen zwischen Selbstkontrollversagen und Normverstoß? Die Effekte des Messaging-Verhaltens von Nutzer*innen bei der Bearbeitung von Aufgaben auf negative selbstbezogene Emotionen. Jahrestagung der Fachgruppe Rezeptions- und Wirkungsforschung in der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Publizistik und Kommunikationswissenschaft (DGPuK), Augsburg, Germany.
Halfmann, A., Meier, A. & Reinecke, L. (2023). Trapped between self-control failure and norm violation? How users’ mobile messaging behavior during task engagement influences negative self-conscious emotions. 73rd Annual ICA Conference : Authenticity in Communication, Toronto, Canada.
Lutz, S., Halfmann, A. & Schneider, F. M. (2023). Take a deep breath, then check your messages: Experimentally investigating the moderating effect of mindfulness in the interplay of social pressure to be available and messenger users' well-/ill-being. 73rd Annual ICA Conference : Reclaiming Authenticity in Communication, Toronto, Canada.
Halfmann, A. (2022). Self-control no matter what? The effects of availability preferences and valuation of temptation enactment on self-control failure and the well-being of messenger users. 72nd Annual ICA Conference : One Wolrd, One Network?, Paris, France.
Halfmann, A. (2022). Wenn die eigenen Einstellungen gegen Selbstkontrolle sprechen: Die Effekte von Erreichbarkeitspräferenzen und der Wertschätzung von Versuchungen auf Selbstkontrollversagen und das Wohlbefinden von Messenger-Nutzer*innen. Jahrestagung der Fachgruppe Rezeptions- und Wirkungsforschung in der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Publizistik und Kommunikationswissenschaft (DGPuK), Düsseldorf, Germany.
Halfmann, A., Wolfers, L. N. & Meeus, A. (2022). Can mothers avoid guilt about their smartphone usage behavior? Effects of the availability norm and goal conflict on guilt, recovery, and task accomplishment. 72nd Annual ICA Conference : One Wolrd, One Network?, Paris, France.
Lutz, S., Halfmann, A. & Schneider, F. M. (2022). Welche Rolle spielt Achtsamkeit für den Effekt von Erreichbarkeitsdruck auf das Wohlbefinden? Eine empirische Überprüfung des Integrative Model of Mobile Media Use and Need Experiences (IM³UNE). Jahrestagung der Fachgruppe Rezeptions- und Wirkungsforschung in der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Publizistik und Kommunikationswissenschaft (DGPuK), Düsseldorf, Germany.
Lutz, S., Halfmann, A., Schweinsberg, S. & Schneider, F. M. (2022). When the smartphone gives no rest: How messenger-related demands influence users' well- and ill-being. 72nd Annual ICA Conference : One Wolrd, One Network?, Paris, France.
Vanden Abeele, M. M. P., Halfmann, A. & Lee, E. W. J. (2022). Drug, demon or donut? Theorizing the relationship between social media use, digital well-being and digital disconnection. ICA 2022. 72nd Annual ICA Conference (International Communication Association): One world, one network!?, Paris, France.
Halfmann, A. (2021). Digging deeper into the reasons for self-control failure: Both intrinsic and extrinsic motivations to use mobile communication shape self-control processes. ICA 2021 – 71h Annual International Communication Association Conference : Engaging the Essential Work of Care: Communication, Connectedness, and Social Justice, Online.
Schneider, F. M., Lutz, S., Halfmann, A., Meier, A. & Reinecke, L. (2021). How and when do mobile media demands impact well-being? Explicating the integrative model of mobile media use and need experiences (IM3UNE). MediaPsych 2021 : 12th Conference of the Media Psychology Division of the German Psychological Society, Aachen, Germany.
Schneider, F. M., Lutz, S., Halfmann, A., Meier, A. & Reinecke, L. (2021). How and when do mobile media demands impact well-being? Explicating the integrative model of mobile media use and need experiences (IM³UNE). ICA 2021. 71st Annual International Communication Association Conference, Online.
Halfmann, A. & Meier, A. (2020). Aufgaben bewältigen und erreichbar bleiben? Die Effekte des Messenger-Nutzungsverhaltens auf Schuldgefühle. 65. Jahrestagung der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Publizistik- und Kommunikationswissenschaft (DGPuK), München, Germany.
Halfmann, A., Meier, A. & Reinecke, L. (2020). Too much or too little messaging? Situational determinants of guilt about mobile messenger usage. ICA 2020 – 70th Annual International Communication Association Conference, Online.
Halfmann, A., Meier, A. & Reinecke, L. (2019). Trapped between self-control failure and norm violation: How users’ mobile messaging behavior during task engagement influences feelings of guilt. 11th Conference of the Media Psychology Division, German Psychological Society, DGPs, Chemnitz, Germany.
Vorderer, P. & Halfmann, A. (2019). Entertainment as striving for resonance: A theoretical discussion of the reasons for and the social context of entertainment media use. 69th Annual Conference of the International Communication Association (ICA), Washington, DC.
Vorderer, P. & Halfmann, A. (2019). Eudaimonic entertainment or resonance? 69th Annual Conference of the International Communication Association (ICA), Washington, DC.
Halfmann, A., Rieger, D. & Vorderer, P. (2018). Wer bestimmt, wann du mobil kommunizierst? Die Effekte von Erreichbarkeitsdruck auf Selbstkontrolle, Bedürfnisbefriedigung, Wohlbefinden und Stress. 63. Jahrestagung der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Publizistik und Kommunikationswissenschaft (DGPuK), Mannheim, Germany.
Halfmann, A., Vorderer, P., Dietrich, F. & Lutz, S. (2018). Who determines your mobile communication? The effects of social pressure on self-control, need satisfaction, well-being, and perceived stress. 68th Annual Conference of the International Communication Association (ICA), Prague, Czech Republic.
Owen, B., Heisterkamp, B., Halfmann, A. & Vorderer, P. (2018). Trait mindfulness and problematic smartphone use. 68th Annual Conference of the International Communication Association (ICA), Prague, Czech Republic.
Halfmann, A., Dech, H., Riemann, J., Schlenker, L. & Wessler, H. (2017). Seeing it through the eyes of the victims: How viewers' experiences of eyewitness videos in TV news influence the trustworthiness of the reports. 67th Annual Conference of the International Communication Association (ICA), San Diego, CA.
Halfmann, A., Dech, H., Riemann, J., Schlenker, L. & Wessler, H. (2017). Seeing it through the eyes of the victims: How viewers' experiences of eyewitness videos in TV news influence the trustworthiness of the reports. 62. Jahrestagung der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Publizistik und Kommunikationswissenschaft (DGPuK), Düsseldorf, Germany.
Halfmann, A., Rieger, D. & Vorderer, P. (2017). Permanent mit Freunden über das Smartphone verbunden. Die Effekte von Erreichbarkeitsdruck auf das Wohlbefinden und Stresserleben. Jahrestagung der Fachgruppe Rezeptions- und Wirkungsforschung in der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Publizistik und Kommunikationswissenschaft (DGPuK), Erfurt, Germany.
Halfmann, A., Rieger, D. & Vorderer, P. (2017). Permanently connected via smartphones: Testing the effects of social pressure to be accessible on subjective well-being in a field experiment. 67th Annual Conference of the International Communication Association (ICA), San Diego, CA.
Halfmann, A., Winkler, J. R. & Freudenthaler, R. (2017). Backlash-Effekte in Online-Diskussionen: Auswirkungen von (nicht-)geschlechterstereotypem Diskussionsverhalten auf die Bewertung von Überzeugungsfähigkeit und Sympathie. Jahrestagung der Fachgruppe Rezeptions- und Wirkungsforschung in der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Publizistik und Kommunikationswissenschaft (DGPuK), Erfurt, Germany.
Winkler, J. R., Halfmann, A. & Freudenthaler, R. (2017). Backlash effects in online discussions: Effects of gender and counter-stereotypical communication on persuasiveness and likeability. 67th Annual Conference of the International Communication Association (ICA), San Diego, CA.

Halfmann, A. & Vorderer, P. (2020). Integrated model of media enjoyment. In J. . van den Bulck & D. R. Roskos-Ewoldsen, The international encyclopedia of media psychology (S. 1–5). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.