Facebook use and its association with subjective happiness and loneliness

Abstract

Social Networking Sites (SNS) allow users to create a profile and connect with others. Due to the multidimensional nature of Facebook, the most popular SNS, research has considered how usage might be associated with well-being. Three hundred and thirty-two participants (70.8% Female; M age = 21.5, SD = 2.4) completed: The Multidimensional Facebook Intensity Scale, the Subjective Happiness Scale, and the UCLA Loneliness Scale. In regression analyses, 4.2% of the variance in loneliness was accounted for by Facebook variables, with number of Facebook friends emerging as a significant predictor; participants reporting a higher number of friends were less lonely. When subscales of the Facebook Intensity Scale were considered, persistence also emerged as a significant predictor of loneliness. More persistent usage, defined as the emotional connectedness an individual has towards Facebook, was associated with higher levels of loneliness. Number of Facebook friends was also a significant predictor of subjective happiness. These results suggest that there may be positive and negative outcomes from using Facebook depending on the nature of engagement.