Earticle

In an era where AI systems are increasingly integrated into everyday life, clear and adaptive communication has become essential for effective collaboration. Traditional communication theories, such as Cognitive Load Theory and the Elaboration Likelihood Model, offer important insights into audience engagement but fall short in addressing the real-time interaction challenges presented by AI-mediated communication. This paper proposes the Theory of Explanatory Communication (ToEC) as a framework for fostering trust, understanding, and adaptability in human-AI interactions. Drawing from cognitive science, symbolic interactionism, and user-center ed feedback mechanisms, To EC emphasizes iterative adaptation and contextual relevance. By synthesizing concepts from Atkins ’ model of explanation attributes and emerging theories such as the Mutual Theory of Mind, ToECrepositions explanatory communication as a foundational human competence crucial for AI-mediated environments. This framework offers practical implications for AI design, public speaking, education, and healthcare, reinforcing the need for structured, adaptive communication in an increasingly complex technological landscape.

This study explores the effects of digital and offline harassment on South Korean journalists’ job satisfaction, with a focus on both material and value-based dimensions. Drawing on the Transactional Theory of Stress and Coping, the research also investigates the moderating roles of coping strategies, organizational support, and contextual factors such as gender, age, media type, and departmental assignment. Data were drawn from the 2023 Korean Journalists Survey (N = 2,011), and analyzed using multiple regression models. Findings indicate that digital harassment exerts a significant negative impact on both material and value-based satisfaction, whereas offline harassment affects only material satisfaction. While greater use of emotion- and problem-focused coping was generally associated with lower satisfaction, both strategies showed protecting effects when applied specifically in response to digital harassment. Organizational support emerged as the most consistent positive predictor of job satisfaction across both dimensions. Furthermore, journalists in non-hard news sectors such as digital, opinion, and — video—experienced elevated instances of harassment, indicative of the distinct risk environment of digital journalism in South Korea. These findings underscore the necessity for established support networks and customized interventions for prominent media positions. This study extends stress and coping theory to journalism and underscores the structural challenges faced by media workers in digital environments.