Abstract
Recently in China, the popularity of the social networking site, WeChat, has increased rapidly. The current study aims to develop a WeChat Engagement Style Measure (WESM) to distinguish among different WeChat use styles. Based on the framework of the two-process model of psychological needs, this study explores relatedness need frustration (RNF) as a predictor and relatedness need satisfaction (RNS) as an outcome of WeChat use. Individual differences in the Big Five personality traits are examined in relation to the two processes. Data were collected from 494 Chinese college students. The results revealed that the 11-item WESM featured three factors: involvement, active engagement, and passive engagement. In the need-as-motive process, RNF only predicted passive WeChat engagement, which was moderated by openness and neuroticism. This effect was stronger for participants with high openness and low neuroticism. In the need-as-requirement process, WeChat involvement and active engagement predicted RNS, and extraversion moderated between active engagement and RNS. This effect was restricted to those with high extraversion. The current study provides a deeper understanding of the two processes of relatedness need and individual personality differences in the context of WeChat usage.
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