An investigation of the relationship between Facebook usage, Big Five, self-esteem and narcissism

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between individual difference factors and various Facebook-related variables, such as the frequency and purpose with which university students use Facebook, the number of their Facebook friends, how frequently they update their status, with whom they share their profiles, and who they add as friends. We do so using a large sample (N = 492) of university students in Turkey. Using measures of self-esteem, narcissism, the purpose of Facebook use and the Big Five, we observe significant relationships between these individual differences and Facebook-related variables. Our findings provide limited support to theories suggesting that those with low self-esteem and high narcissism can use Facebook to compensate for or regulate their self-image, and indicate the importance of individual differences for shaping how Turkish university students use Facebook.