WeChat use is significantly correlated with college students' quality of friendships but not with perceived well-being

Abstract

Although WeChat is currently one of the fastest growing social media in mainland China, many scholars and researchers are yet to systematically investigate the potential social and psychological consequences of the newly emerging online social network. Based on theory and previous studies, the principal purpose of this present study is to probe and understand whether and how the use of WeChat is related to individuals' friendship quality and psychological well-being. Research participants were a total of 508 college students who completed anonymous questionnaires gauging their WeChat usage behaviors, self-disclosure, friendship quality, and well-being. Using structural equation modeling, results demonstrate that the intensity of WeChat use is significantly correlated with college students' quality of friendships but not with perceived well-being. Moreover, the outcomes also reveal that students' friendship quality is a significant predictor of well-being. However, there is no relationship between online self-disclosure and friendship quality or well-being. Overall, these obtained findings of the empirical study could cast a much-needed light on the nuanced understanding of the certain social and technological affordances of WeChat and how it may ultimately impact individual's quality of life in the new media context.