User-Defined Relationships: Exploring the Dynamics of Attachment Style and Motives, Activities, and Outcomes of Social Network Sites

Abstract

The rise of social network sites (SNSs) provided users with new ways to initiate and maintain personal relationships. Numerous functions (e.g., messaging, sharing, and reacting on content) allow for social interaction customized to distinct relationship needs and behaviors. This study investigated the associations of attachment style with distinct SNS usage patterns. Furthermore, the relationships of SNS (1) motives, (2) activities, and (3) outcomes were examined. In line with previous research, attachment anxiety was strongly related to SNS use. It predicted all relational SNS motives and activities. In contrast, high avoidance predicted a higher motive to use SNS to maintain autonomy, less monitoring activity, and higher scores on social media addiction. SNS motives (i.e., intimacy) partially mediated the relationship of attachment style on SNS activities. Furthermore, certain SNS motives, activities, and combinations of both aspects fully mediated the associations between attachment dimensions and social media addiction. The findings indicate that neglecting the mediating role of SNS motives and activities might partly account for inconsistencies in previous findings.