The role of online social capital in the relationship between Internet use and self-worth

Abstract

This study examines the effect of the Internet on feelings of self-worth from a social capital perspective. Based on a survey among 800 undergraduate students from China, we find that browsing web pages and using emails do not have positive effects on the formation of online social capital, whereas social media use has significant effects. All four types of Internet use surveyed in this study do not significantly correlate with self-worth. The findings provide supporting evidence for an indirect effect of Internet use on people’s self-worth. Social capital generated from online interactions improves feelings of self-worth. The present study contributes to the discussion on the potential benefits of online social capital for mental health and highlights the online interactions as important as in-person interactions, which is useful to those who design web-based interventions.