Active Facebook Use Research Articles

The relationship between active and passive Facebook use, Facebook flow, depression symptoms and Facebook Addiction: A three-month investigation

• Active Facebook use is positively linked to Facebook Addiction (FA). • There is no significant link between passive Facebook use and FA. • Active Facebook use contributes to the experience of Facebook related flow. • In the longer term, Facebook flow serves as an antecedent of FA. • Particularly individuals with enhanced depression symptoms are at risk for FA. The present study investigated the link of active and passive Facebook use, Facebook flow and depression symptoms with Facebook Addiction (FA). Data of 127 German Facebook users ( M age ( SD age ) = 25.10 (7.03), range: 18–58) were assessed at two measurement time points over a period of three months (first measurement = T1, second measurement = T2) via online surveys. FA (T2) was significantly positively linked to active Facebook use (T1), Facebook flow (T1) and depression symptoms (T1). Its relationship with passive Facebook use (T1) was non-significant. Facebook flow (T1) positively mediated the association between active Facebook use (T1) and FA (T2). In contrast, active Facebook use (T1) did not serve as a mediator between Facebook flow (T1) and FA (T2). Given the non-experimental design of the present study, only hypothetical conclusions on causality can be drawn. Current results demonstrate that active Facebook use could contribute to the experience of flow that serves as an antecedent of FA. This is particularly relevant for individuals with enhanced depression symptoms. The findings should be made a subject of discussion in education and prevention programs, and in therapeutic context.

Does Passive Facebook Use Promote Feelings of Social Connectedness?

Previous research has shown that passive social media use does not have the same positive effects on well-being as active social media use. However, it is currently unclear whether these effects can be attributed to the benefits of active use, the costs of passive use, or both. The current article investigated the effect of active and passive Facebook use on feelings of social connectedness after being ostracized. In two preregistered experiments, participants were first ostracized on a faux social media platform, followed by a measurement of social connectedness. In Experiment 1 they were then instructed to either use Facebook passively, use Facebook actively, or use a non-social website (Wikipedia), after which social connectedness was measured again. Results indicated that active Facebook use can restore social connectedness after being ostracized as compared to using a non-social website. While passive Facebook use also restored social connectedness, it did not change social connectedness significantly more so than Wikipedia use. In Experiment 2, we replicated Experiment 1, now focusing only on passive Facebook use compared to a non-social website. Results showed again that passive Facebook use did not influence social connectedness more so than the use of Wikipedia. In exploratory analyses, we found that for participants who felt close to other Facebook users, passive Facebook use did increase social connectedness compared to using a non-social website. These experiments suggest that, even though passive social media use does not restore social connectedness in the same way that active social media use does, it also does not harm social connectedness, and it may actually promote social connectedness under certain circumstances.

Do Facebook and Instagram differ in their influence on life satisfaction? A study of college men and women in South Korea

While a number of previous studies examined the impacts of social networking sites (SNSs) on young people’s well-being, they usually focused on a single platform without considering the increasing use of multiple social media platforms. In addition, only a few studies have explored gender differences, and empirical evidence outside Western culture is still lacking. To this end, the present study explores how two different types of use (i.e., active vs. passive) of the two most popular SNS (social network sites) platforms (i.e., Facebook and Instagram) are related to college men’s and women’s life satisfaction via social support and social comparison in South Korea. Path analyses conducted using data from a nationwide online survey of Korean college students (N = 360) revealed that active use contributes to life satisfaction via perceived social support on SNSs, while passive use decreases life satisfaction via negative social comparison on SNSs. Both active Facebook and Instagram use are related to perceived social support, while negative social comparison tends to be related only to passive Instagram use. Gender differences were not observed in the hypothesized relationships except for those involving the control variables (i.e., the amount of overall SNS use and the number of SNS platforms used). The results suggest that the influences of SNS use on subjective well-being depend on the types of SNS use and the nature of the platforms. The practical implications for social media literacy education are discussed.

Examining the links between active Facebook use, received likes, self-esteem and happiness: A study using objective social media data

For social media users, profile updating and receiving Likes may feel like a reward, and elicit positive emotions, reinforcing use of the platform. Could this mechanism have consequences for users’ self-esteem and happiness? Previous findings on the topic are mixed, and typically limited by use of self-reports of online activity. In the present study, we used objective behavioral data to examine the hypotheses that receiving Likes on Facebook would relate to 1) users’ level of perceived self-esteem, and 2) increased happiness via the mediating role of self-esteem. We recruited 2,349 adult Facebook users (589 men, 1,760 women; 67% aged 18–25, 26% aged 26–35, 7% aged > 35 years). Participants answered an online survey and provided access to their objective Facebook data (i.e., profile updates and received Likes). We found that frequency of users updating their profile and sharing personal content (e.g., self-generated texts, images, friends and location tags) had a direct effect on the frequency and intensity of the feedback (i.e., Likes) they received from other users in their online social network. Additionally, analyses supported a positive link between the frequency and intensity of positive feedback received by users and perceived happiness that was mediated in part by an increase in self-esteem. Overall, findings demonstrate a process linking positive online social feedback and perceived well-being.

Do smartphones and social network sites become more important when experiencing stress? Results from longitudinal data

Previous research on stress and media use mainly concentrated on between-person effects. We add to this research field by additionally assessing within-person associations, assuming that experiencing more stress than usual goes along with more nomophobia (“no-mobile-phone phobia”) and more passive and active Facebook use than usual, cross-sectionally and over time, and by exploring potential age differences. We conducted a secondary analysis of three waves of a representative multi-wave survey of adult Dutch internet users (N = 861). Specifically, we used two subsamples: (1) smartphones users for the analyses on nomophobia (n = 600) and (2) Facebook users for the analyses on social media (n = 469). Employing random-intercept cross-lagged panel models, we found within-person correlations between nomophobia and stress at one time-point, but not over time. For the younger age group (18–39 years), more passive Facebook use than usual was associated with more stress than usual six months later, and more stress than usual was followed by less passive Facebook use six month later. There were no longitudinal relationships for active Facebook use across the different age groups. Methodological and theoretical implications are discussed.

Through a Screen Darkly: Use of Computer-Mediated Communication Predicts Emotional Functioning.

Despite the pervasive use of computer-mediated communication, relatively little is known about its implications for emotional adjustment. Recent studies suggest that a preference for computer-mediated communication over other types of communication is associated with emotional vulnerabilities, and its active forms (e.g., direct communication) confer psychosocial benefits compared its passive forms (e.g., browsing Facebook). In this study, we simultaneously examined quality, quantity, and preferences for computer-mediated communication in relation to emotional competencies (emotion detection and regulation) and emotional well-being (self-report of mood and anxiety symptoms). In Study 1, participants (N = 123) completed a facial morphing task, a computerized assessment of the speed and accuracy of emotion detection, and the Social Media and Communication Questionnaire assessing quantity and preferences to communicate via computer-mediated communication versus face-to-face. More use of computer-mediated communication along with preferring it for casual communication, was associated with faster and more accurate emotion detection. More use of computer-mediated communication, along with preferring it for positive communication and expressing distress, was associated with more difficulties with emotion regulation. Study 2 (N = 32) added a task-based assessment of active and passive Facebook use in relation to measures of emotional functioning in Study 1. More active Facebook use was associated with greater emotional well-being, whereas more passive Facebook use was associated with less emotional well-being. Active and passive Facebook use was not significantly associated with self-report of broader computer-mediated communication preferences. Together, results suggest that greater use and preference for computer-mediated versus face-to-face communication may be related to heightened emotional sensitivity and more problems with emotion regulation, yet active versus passive use may serve to bolster emotional well-being.

I present myself and have a lot of Facebook-friends – Am I a happy narcissist!?

For many people, Facebook use has become part of daily life. Earlier research hypothesized that one reason for the high popularity of this social platform is its association with subjective well-being and specific personality traits. In the present study, self-report data and objective data from Facebook pages of 328 Facebook users were analyzed. Results revealed a significant positive association of active Facebook use with subjective happiness and narcissism. Its relationship with depression symptoms was significantly negative. Furthermore, active Facebook use significantly positively mediated the positive link between narcissism and happiness. This finding contributes to the understanding why narcissistic individuals who usually search for attention and admiration to increase their self-esteem often engage in intensive active Facebook use.

Active Facebook use and mood: When digital interaction turns maladaptive

Despite the prevalence of Facebook use, its psychological impact remains unclear. Recent evidence suggests that active Facebook use (i.e., peer interaction) is more adaptive than passive use (i.e., browsing content), predicting increases in affective well-being and social connectedness. However, how individual differences in cognition and belonging may influence these relationships has been largely unexamined, limiting conclusions on whether these findings extend to vulnerable individuals. The present study sought to address this gap by investigating whether active Facebook use loses its benefits in the presence of social-cognitive vulnerabilities (i.e., rumination, interpretation bias, thwarted belongingness) that may be especially relevant to the digital context. Although active Facebook use was associated with feeling better after Facebook use and with perceiving more positive Facebook interactions, cognitive biases and thwarted belongingness predicted feeling worse after active Facebook use and reporting less positive interactions. Additionally, interpretation bias and thwarted belongingness together predicted feeling worse after one style of active Facebook use, through perceptions of less positive interactions. These findings suggest that beyond how one uses Facebook, the individual factors one brings to the Facebook experience may influence perceptions of interpersonal experiences in the digital space and contribute to low mood, rendering even active Facebook use maladaptive.

Facebook usage and mental health: An empirical study of role of non-directional social comparisons in the UK

The present paper explores the relationship between nature of Facebook usage, non-directional comparisons and depressive syndromes. The extant research on linkage between social media usage and mental health is inconclusive. The paper uses data collected through an online survey of 399 Facebook users in the UK. A Facebook frequency rating scale was developed and validated as a part of the study. The Iowa-Netherlands Comparison Orientation Measure was modified and used to measure social comparison. The depressive syndromes were captured by the modified Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale. The Rank Theory of Depression was used a guiding framework. The data collection had focused on the 20–29 year olds, as justified by the literature.The study found a negative relationship between active Facebook use and non-directional social comparisons. The relationship was reversed in the case of passive usage. There is small but significant causal linkage between increased non-directional social comparisons and depressive symptoms among the users.

The use of social networking services for classroom engagement? The effects of Facebook usage and the moderating role of user motivation

Studies have examined the relationship between Facebook use and student engagement. With the growing use of social networking services in everyday life, there is an ongoing debate on the effect of Facebook usage outside the classroom on classroom learning. However, studies have been so far failed to examine how Facebook activities in everyday life differ according to individual characteristics. In order to answer that question, this study investigated how Facebook use affects student engagement in the classroom. The moderating role of user motivation was also examined, since students use Facebook for different purposes, which eventually determine whether they become engaged in their learning. The results revealed that students with more active Facebook use achieved significantly higher scores on student engagement than those with less active Facebook use. Image-management and social-pressure motivations have moderating effects on the relationship between the differing ways of using Facebook and student engagement. Students with high levels of image-management motivation who spent more time on Facebook gave learning with peers the lowest ratings of all the students surveyed. Those with high levels of social-pressure motivation who spent more time on Facebook also gave learning with peers lower ratings than all other students surveyed. Implications for future studies on instructional uses of social networking services are suggested.

Active public Facebook use and adolescents' feelings of loneliness: Evidence for a curvilinear relationship

Inconsistent results have been reported concerning the relationships between SNS usage and loneliness. The current two-wave panel study with a one year interval examined the possibility of reciprocal and curvilinear relationships between active public Facebook use and adolescents' social/emotional loneliness. Belgian adolescents from fifteen high schools participated (N = 1188, 55% male). The results showed a U-shaped relationship between (1) active Facebook use and social/emotional loneliness and (2) emotional loneliness and active Facebook use. Specifically, active Facebook use predicted decreased social/emotional loneliness among low to moderate users, while among heavy users, increased levels of social/emotional loneliness were predicted by active Facebook use. Emotional loneliness predicted higher active Facebook use among lonely adolescents. At the same time, emotional loneliness predicted decreased active Facebook use among adolescents who did not feel lonely. These findings stress to consider different types of loneliness, and reciprocal and curvilinear relationships in future social media research.

Passive and Active Facebook Use Measure (PAUM): Validation and relationship to the Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory

The aims of this study were to design and validate a questionnaire to measure passive and active Facebook use, and to explore the associations of these factors with the Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory (RST) of personality. Passive Facebook use describes the consumption but not the creation of content, while active Facebook use describes active engagement with the site. As Facebook has many features, users may interact with the site differently, thereby creating conflicting results when general use measures are assessed independently. To address this issue, we developed a 13-item questionnaire which reflects three levels of Facebook engagement: Active social, Active non-social, and Passive use. These three multi-item scales demonstrate sufficient internal reliability and discriminant validity. To further investigate individual differences in Facebook use, we used regressions to assess the associations between RST and the factors of the Passive Active Use Measure (PAUM). Reward Reactivity was positively associated with both Active social and Passive use. Impulsivity and Goal-Drive Persistence were positively associated with Active non-social use. FFFS was positively associated with Passive use, and Reward Interest was positively associated with all three PAUM factors. The findings of this study highlight how individual differences impact the way users engage with Facebook.

The Relationship between Personality Traits and Active versus Inactive Facebook Usage among Female University Students in Egypt

This study examined the effect of the Big Five traits (Neuroticism, Extraversion, Openness, Agreeableness and Conscientiousness), in addition to two narrow personality traits (narcissism and self-esteem) on active versus inactive Facebook usage. The study also investigated the effect of attitudes towards Facebook, motivations of Facebook use (Social/ informational) and educational variables (School year and education type in high school). A survey was conducted on 326 female university students from the School of Mass Communication in Cairo University. The results of the study shed light on the difference between factors affecting each type of Facebook use. Regarding the inactive Facebook use, none of the personality traits affected it. The only effective variables were attitudes towards Facebook and the education year. As inactive use was measured only by hours spent on Facebook, it was logical that as the positive attitudes increased, the time spent on Facebook increased whatever personal traits the user had. There was also a positive correlation between school year and time spent on Facebook. This result could be interpreted in light of the nature of the Egyptian educational system and the differences in the life style of students in their first semester in the School of Mass Communication as they were used to spending a lot of time studying in High school and the life style of students after spending a few years in the school as the media, including social networking sites, became an important part of their life either to socialize with colleagues or as a part of their study. Regarding the active Facebook use, it was affected by four variables; two personality traits which were narcissism and extraversion, in addition to informational use motivations and education year. There was a positive correlation between the level of narcissism and the active use of Facebook, especially that the measure includes updating status, uploading photos and writing comments. This came in line with the desire of narcissists to be in the spotlight (Buffardi and Campbell, 2008; Ong et al., 2011; Lee et al., 2014). Also the positive correlation between extraversion and active use of Facebook was due to the willingness of extroverts to organize and participate in events and groups, in addition to posting self-presentational information and involving in self- presentational behaviors on the site (Ross et al., 2009; Ljepava et al., 2013). The positive correlation between informational use motivations and active Facebook use is due to the need of the university students, especially in the school of Mass Communication for that site to get more information about their studies as each course has pages or groups on Facebook. They use Facebook also to get information about current events and activities. Regarding the education year variable, it can be interpreted in light of the fact that students in the senior year of school used Facebook more actively than First year students as a tool of collaboration in group work in their graduation projects and assignments.

Attachment theory as a framework for explaining engagement with Facebook

Research on the relation between personality and styles of engagement with social media is surprisingly limited and has generated mixed results. The present research applied attachment theory to illuminate individual differences in styles of Facebook engagement. Two studies (N=583) supported a mediational model explaining various forms of active Facebook use as stemming from attachment anxiety, which predisposes individuals to sensitivity about social feedback, thereby leading them to engage in attention-seeking social media behavior. These results held while controlling for extraversion, neuroticism, and self-esteem. Attachment avoidance predicted restrained Facebook use, primarily due to its association with (low) extraversion. These findings resolve inconsistencies in previous research and demonstrate that attachment theory is a particularly useful framework through which to study the influence of personality on social-media behavior.

Passive Facebook usage undermines affective well-being: Experimental and longitudinal evidence.

Prior research indicates that Facebook usage predicts declines in subjective well-being over time. How does this come about? We examined this issue in 2 studies using experimental and field methods. In Study 1, cueing people in the laboratory to use Facebook passively (rather than actively) led to declines in affective well-being over time. Study 2 replicated these findings in the field using experience-sampling techniques. It also demonstrated how passive Facebook usage leads to declines in affective well-being: by increasing envy. Critically, the relationship between passive Facebook usage and changes in affective well-being remained significant when controlling for active Facebook use, non-Facebook online social network usage, and direct social interactions, highlighting the specificity of this result. These findings demonstrate that passive Facebook usage undermines affective well-being.