Psychological Predictors of Addictive Social Networking

Social Networking Sites (SNSs) are virtual communities where users can create individual public profiles, interact with real-life friends, and meet other people based on shared interests. They are seen as a 'global consumer phenomenon' with an exponential rise in usage within the last few years. Anecdotal case study evidence suggests that 'addiction' to social networks on the Internet may be a potential mental health problem for some users. However, the contemporary scientific literature addressing the addictive qualities of social networks on the Internet is scarce. Therefore, this literature review is intended to provide empirical and conceptual insight into the emerging phenomenon of addiction to SNSs by: (1) outlining SNS usage patterns, (2) examining motivations for SNS usage, (3) examining personalities of SNS users, (4) examining negative consequences of SNS usage, (5) exploring potential SNS addiction, and (6) exploring SNS addiction specificity and comorbidity. The findings indicate that SNSs are predominantly used for social purposes, mostly related to the maintenance of established offline networks. Moreover, extraverts appear to use social networking sites for social enhancement, whereas introverts use it for social compensation, each of which appears to be related to greater usage, as does low conscientiousness and high narcissism. Negative correlates of SNS usage include the decrease in real life social community participation and academic achievement, as well as relationship problems, each of which may be indicative of potential addiction.

Journal of Computer and Education Research

Social media has started to play a crucial role in people's lives. However, excessive social media usage can bring with social media addiction that causes failure in different aspects of people's lives such as academic life, business life, and even in private life. The main aim of the present study is to discover the impacts of specific behavioral factors, which are openness, loneliness, self-esteem, life satisfaction, creativity, stress, neuroticism, social intelligence, and narcissism, on social media addiction. A survey was conducted with 506 participants. The results of these analyses showed that while demographical factors which were gender, marital status, age, and education level affected social media addiction, income status and occupation had no influence on social media addiction. Moreover, positive relationships between openness and creativity, openness and self-esteem, self-esteem and life satisfaction, loneliness and neuroticism, and negative relationships between self-esteem and neuroticism, life satisfaction and stress were detected.

Facebook has become an important medium for social communication in contemporary culture, with nearly 1.5 billion active users monthly (Facebook, 2015). The expeditious rise of Facebook has led to an expansion in research attempting to determine the effects the site could have on its users. Researchers have raised concerns over the possibility that the site could be addictive, particularly for users with low psychosocial wellbeing, such as those suffering from social anxiety (Ryan, Chester, Reece & Xenos, 2014). The aim of the current study was to test the applicability of the social skills model of Generalised Problematic Internet Use in relation to Facebook addiction. In the process, the study also aimed to determine whether social anxiety could be consider a vulnerability factor for Facebook addiction. Participants (N = 118) completed a self-report survey concerning their Facebook usage, social anxiety, and Facebook addiction. Structural equation modelling suggested that social anxiety explains a preference for online social interaction (POSI) but this does not in turn explain Facebook addiction. Hence, the current study suggests that the social skills model of GPIU is not applicable to Facebook addiction. Additional analysis on general usage, rather than addiction, and determined that the social skills model was applicable to Facebook usage. Results suggested that social anxiety explained POSI which in turn explained Facebook usage such that an indirect relationship exists between social anxiety and Facebook usage fully mediated by POSI. Implications of the results are important to both researchers and practitioners. Specifically, the efficacy of online treatment therapies for socially anxious individuals with a preference for online social interaction is discussed.

Journal of Psychology in Africa, 2020

This study examined social network services (SNS) self-image and relationship influences on SNS addiction in a cross-national sample of adults (N = 444; South Africans = 214, Americans = 230; females = 49 .3%) using survey data collected by the global Entrust Survey. Structural equation model analyses indicated SNS self-image to enhance effect desire for SNS friendship and SNS personal relationships. Moreover, SNS self-image in association with SNS personal relationships, rather than SNS friendships, would increase risk for SNS addiction. From these findings, we conclude that self-image is the latent variable that explains SNS addiction .

Online social networking sites (SNSs) have gained increasing popularity in the last decade, with individuals engaging in SNSs to connect with others who share similar interests. The perceived need to be online may result in compulsive use of SNSs, which in extreme cases may result in symptoms and consequences traditionally associated with substance-related addictions. In order to present new insights into online social networking and addiction, in this paper, 10 lessons learned concerning online social networking sites and addiction based on the insights derived from recent empirical research will be presented. These are: (i) social networking and social media use are not the same; (ii) social networking is eclectic; (iii) social networking is a way of being; (iv) individuals can become addicted to using social networking sites; (v) Facebook addiction is only one example of SNS addiction; (vi) fear of missing out (FOMO) may be part of SNS addiction; (vii) smartphone addiction may be part of SNS addiction; (viii) nomophobia may be part of SNS addiction; (ix) there are sociodemographic differences in SNS addiction; and (x) there are methodological problems with research to date. These are discussed in turn. Recommendations for research and clinical applications are provided.

A representative sample (n=1,000) of the Belgian population aged 18 years and older filled out an online questionnaire on their Internet use in general and their use of social networking sites (SNS) in particular. We measured total time spent on the Internet, time spent on SNS, number of SNS profiles, gender, age, schooling level, income, job occupation, and leisure activities, and we integrated several psychological scales such as the Quick Big Five and the Mastery Scale. Hierarchical multiple regression modeling shows that gender and age explain an important part of the compulsive SNS score (5%) as well as psychological scales (20%), but attitude toward school (additional 3%) and income (2.5%) also add to explained variance in predictive models of compulsive SNS use.

Acta Médica Portuguesa

Introduction: The use of social media is an extremely popular activity, with an average time spent of two and a half hours daily. The number of users continues to rise, with 4.65 billion around the world in 2022, approximately 58.7% of the world population. A rising number of studies show that a minority of these persons will develop a behavioral addiction on social media. The aim of this study was to understand if the use of a specific social media platform predicts increased addictive potential.Material and Methods: A cross-sectional sample of 300 persons (aged 18 years-old or older, 60.33% female), completed an online survey including sociodemographic questions, data regarding the use of social media and the Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale (BSMAS). Linear and logistic regression models were performed to determine the risk for each media platform.Results: Instagram® use was a significant predictor of higher scores on the BSMAS (B 2.51; p < 0.0001; CI 1.33 - 3.69). The use o...

Facebook is notably the most widely known and used social network worldwide. It has been described as a valuable tool for leisure and communication between people all over the world. However, healthy and conscience Facebook use is contrasted by excessive use and lack of control, creating an addiction with severely impacts the everyday life of many users, mainly youths. If Facebook use seems to be related to the need to belong, affiliate with others and for self-presentation, the beginning of excessive Facebook use and addiction could be associated to reward and gratification mechanisms as well as some personality traits. Studies from several countries indicate different Facebook addiction prevalence rates, mainly due to the use of a wide-range of evaluation instruments and to the lack of a clear and valid definition of this construct. Further investigations are needed to establish if excessive Facebook use can be considered as a specific online addiction disorder or an Internet addiction subtype.

Internet based social-networking sites like Facebook are highly attractive, user-friendly, and increasingly popular. Current estimates indicate over 750 million users of Facebook alone. However, Internet addiction is an increasing problem amongst today’s youth and as yet, is understudied in the United States. This study looked at the relationship between this new social-networking tool and the increasing phenomenon of internet addiction symptoms using both a US college sample (age 19years) and a US high-school sample(age 14years). Findings indicate that SNS (Social Networking Site) activity maybe more predictive of addictive behaviors than general internet use and that higher percents of symptomology occur in those users reporting SNS activity as their primary internet activity. estimates indicate over 750 million users of Facebook alone. However, Internet addiction is an increasing problem amongst today’s youth and as yet, is understudied in the United States. This study looked at the relationship between this new social-networking tool and the increasing phenomenon of internet addiction symptoms using both a US college sample (age 19years) and a US high-school sample (age 14years). Findings indicate that SNS (Social Networking Site) activity maybe more predictive of addictive behaviors than general internet use and that higher percents of symptomology occur in those users reporting SNS activity as their primary internet activity.

Some Internet users find it difficult to control the time spent on the Internet, which can lead to a negative impact on school, work and relationships with friends and family. The main goal of the present study was to assess the prevalence of compulsive social networking using the Compulsive Social Networking Scale (CSS) and to determine the profile of compulsive versus non-compulsive users of SNSs by means of a cross-sectional survey among 1002 Belgian adolescents. The results indicate that respondents had an average score of 0.85 on the CSS (range 0–4). When applying a cut off of 2 and more, this resulted in 7.1 % compulsive users. Results showed that both personality traits (6 %) and psychosocial well-being (7.3 %) explain significant amounts of variance above gender and age. In sum, the block of age and gender together with personality and psychosocial well-being explains 15.8 % of the variance.