Preference For Online Social Interaction Research Articles

Problematic use of social media in adolescents or excessive social gratification? The mediating role of nomophobia

The term problematic social media use (PSMU) refers to the interference produced by social networks in everyday life, where online participation is perceived as rewarding and continues despite negative consequences. The constant gratification (peer connection, instant notifications, scrolling, and variable rewards) has negative consequences for the well-being of adolescents, from the fear of not being connected to developing negative moods. Recent studies of uses and gratifications theory suggest that user preferences, such as the search for friendships and maintaining social relations, are related to PSMU. Based on that theory, this study analyzes the mediating role of nomophobia in the link between social use (social gratification) and problematic social media use among adolescents in Madrid (Spain). The research was conducted in 2022 with adolescents aged 14–17 (N = 820), who self-reported the use of social media, nomophobia, and problematic social media use (Adolescent Risk of Addiction to Social Networks and the Internet Questionnaire; ERA-RSI). The data were analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM) with partial least squares (PLS). The gratification-oriented social use offered by social networks in interactions with other people and nomophobia were explanatory variables for problematic use in adolescent participants. As predicted, nomophobia mediates the link between social use and PSMU. Social use and nomophobia were positively and significantly related, with a medium effect size. The preference for online social interaction and fear of losing this connection contribute significantly to PSMU. The results revealed the need for school-based prevention and intervention programs for digital well-being.

Psychopathological symptoms and social networking sites addiction in Poland and Germany: The role of fear of missing out and preference for online social interaction

Psychopathological symptoms, especially depression and anxiety, can contribute to the development of addictive tendencies offline and online. The present cross-national study aims to verify whether Fear of Missing Out (FoMO) and Preference for Online Social Interactions (POSI) could explain the relationship between psychopathological symptoms (i.e., depression and anxiety symptoms) and Social Networking Sites (SNS) addiction. We tested our hypothesis in two samples from Poland (N = 1163) and Germany (N = 781) using self-report measures of psychopathological symptoms, FoMO, POSI, and SNS addiction. In both countries, we found the same result pattern. Depression and anxiety symptoms were positively related to SNS addiction. Moreover, FoMO and POSI partially mediated the relationship between psychopathological symptoms and addictive SNS use. Notably, the relationship between psychopathological symptoms is significantly more robust via FoMO as it is an essential predictor of SNS addiction in both countries. Our findings show that ineffective emotional regulation, as well as maladaptive thoughts and beliefs about one's Internet use among persons with psychopathological symptoms, might increase the risk for SNS addiction.

중년 성인의 자기개념명확성과 SNS중독경향성의 관계

Objectives The purposes of this study were to examine the mediating effect of preference for online social inter-action and the moderating effect of coping strategy in the relationship between self-concept clarity and SNS ad-diction proneness of middle-aged adults.
 Methods To achieve the purpose of the study, an online survey was conducted targeting middle-aged adults across the country, and the final 374 data were analyzed using SPSS 25.0 and the Process Marco program. First, the subjects' general characteristics and SNS use-related characteristics were identified, and the correlation be-tween each variable was analyzed. Second, the mediation effect was verified through hierarchical regression analysis and bootstrapping. Third, Aiken-West hierarchical regression analysis was performed to confirm the moderating effect and moderated mediation effect.
 Results The results of the study are as follows: First, lower self-concept clarity of middle-aged adults resulted in higher perceived preference for online social interaction. Second, the analysis verified the mediating effect of preference for online social interaction in the relationship between self-concept clarity and SNS addiction proneness. Third, in the relationship between preference for online social interaction and SNS addiction prone-ness, the analysis verified the moderating effect of avoidance, which is one of the sub-factors of the coping strategy.
 Conclusions This study revealed that the self-concept clarity of middle-aged adults affected SNS addiction proneness. In addition, this study is meaningful in that it is necessary to clarify the self-concept of middle-aged adults in the counseling and to help them use an effective coping strategy.

All by myself: examining social media’s effect on social withdrawal and the mediating roles of moral disengagement and cyberaggression

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to examine how the constructs of false self, preference for online social interaction (POSI), compulsive internet use (CIU), and online disinhibition affect social withdrawal in a social media context. The mediating effects of moral disengagement and cyber aggression are also tested.Design/methodology/approachData were collected using an online survey (n = 533) from consumers in Japan. This study used structural equation modeling and PROCESS to examine the proposed relationships.FindingsThe study revealed that false self positively affects moral disengagement while online disinhibition positively affects cyber aggression and moral disengagement. Preference for online social interaction and compulsive internet use both positively impacts social withdrawal. Cyber aggression and moral disengagement were established mediators between false self/ Preference for online social interaction/ compulsive internet use/ online disinhibition and social withdrawal.Research limitations/implicationsAlthough restricted to cyberaggression, owing to the reciprocal relationship between cyber victimization and cyberaggression, cyber victimization can be included for further study. This study expands the understanding of social withdrawal within the context of social media.Practical implicationsBased on the findings, policies and programs that address mental health that build self-esteem, self-confidence and reduce anxiety ought to be undertaken. Managing and formulating guidelines on anonymity should also be taken into consideration.Originality/valueThis research demonstrates the crucial constructs that affect social media users negatively from the aspects of cyberaggression, moral disengagement and social withdrawal. It also establishes the importance of mental health in reducing adverse effects from social media.

Vulnerable and grandiose narcissism differentially predict phubbing via social anxiety and problematic social media use

ABSTRACT ‘Phubbing’ refers to the phenomenon where people ignore social partners in a face-to-face situation by focusing on their phones. Narcissism, a personality trait characterised by entitled self-importance, has strong influences on interpersonal relationships. As the mechanism through which narcissism may affect the development of phubbing is unclear and most relevant studies have been conducted in Western countries, we proposed and empirically tested a theoretical model that links narcissism to phubbing in China. Chinese participants (N = 322; 181 women and 141 men) completed a survey in the Chinese language. Path analyses largely confirmed the proposed hypothetical model. The main findings showed that vulnerable narcissism directly predicted more phubbing behaviour and also indirectly via increased social anxiety, preference for online social interaction (POSI), social media use (SMU) for mood regulation, and compulsive SMU. Also, grandiose narcissism indirectly predicted less phubbing behaviour via reduced social anxiety, POSI, SMU for mood regulation, and compulsive SMU. The findings, therefore, elucidate the mechanisms by which the two subtypes of narcissism differentially predispose people to phubbing in China, with vulnerable narcissism predisposing people to more phubbing and grandiose narcissism to less phubbing. Implications and limitations of the study are discussed.

The relationship between preference for online social interaction and affective well-being via compulsive dating app use: The moderating role of algorithmic beliefs

This study examined whether preference for online social interaction (POSI) was related to poorer affective well-being via compulsive dating app use and whether algorithmic beliefs attenuated the negative association between compulsive use and affective well-being. An online survey among Chinese dating app users (N = 361) was conducted. The sample included participants aged 18–60, with the majority (89.47%) falling within the 18–35 age range (M = 29.19, SD = 6.02). Women comprised a slightly larger proportion (56.2%) of the sample than men (43.8%). Results of the survey revealed that POSI was positively associated with compulsive use, which was positively related to post-dating app joviality. Furthermore, the relationship between algorithmic beliefs and post-dating app sadness was only significant among individuals with a low level of algorithm beliefs. The findings extended prior research on social network sites to dating apps and demonstrated the potential positive relationship between technology use and transient emotional states. Furthermore, our results suggest that algorithmic beliefs, which essentially reflect human-technology relations, may affect interpersonal communication outcomes on dating apps.

Factorial validity of the problematic social media use scale among Chinese adults

The Problematic Social Media Use Scale (PSMUS) is a promising self-report measure assessing problematic use of social media among adolescents and adults. However, data concerning its psychometrics are still scant, and adaptation in Eastern cultures is missing.This study aimed to test the factorial structure, internal consistency, and external validity of the Chinese version of the PSMUS in a sample of 672 adults (31% males) aged between 18 and 58.A series of confirmatory factor analyses supported the bifactor structure of the PSMUS, including a general factor and five specific independent components, namely preference for online social interactions, mood regulation, cognitive preoccupation, compulsive use, and negative outcomes. Hierarchical Omega supported the presence of a general factor, and also ancillary indexes suggested that the questionnaire is not strictly unidimensional.Subsequent structural equation modeling testing the incremental contribution of each PSMUS facet in predicting negative emotional states showed that, above and beyond the general factor, only one of the five dimensions (i.e., negative outcomes) significantly links to our criterion measure further support the use of an overall PSMU score. Moreover, results support the external validity of the questionnaire, given its positive association with depression, anxiety, and stress scores.The Chinese version of the PSMUS is a psychometric sound instrument to assess the level of PSMU in adults. Future research may evaluate the cross-cultural validity of the bifactor model and its associations with other assessment methods.

An exploratory study into the interplay of coolness and maladaptive social media use: Identifying profiles of addiction-like symptoms among Jamaican users

This research article examines the interplay between coolness and maladaptive social media use among Jamaican users. In addition, it explores profiles of addiction-like symptoms among social media users in Jamaica and identifies the prevalence of maladaptive use. A total of 180 participants from the University of the West Indies, Mona Campus, Jamaica, completed a self-administered survey that assessed engagement, maladaptive social media use, coolness, and preference for online social interaction. The Bergen's Social Media Addiction Scale was utilized to measure maladaptive social media use, while the inner and outer cool questionnaire and the Generalized Problematic Internet Use Scale assessed coolness and preference for online social interaction, respectively. Latent profile analysis was employed to identify latent subgroups based on maladaptive behavior patterns, as well as perceptions of coolness. The results revealed two latent subgroups based on coolness perception (high perceived coolness and average perceived coolness) and three latent subgroups based on maladaptive behavior (high-risk, low-risk, and no risk). An empirical cutpoint for the BSMAS was found to be 18, which suggested a 27.8% prevalence of maladaptive social media use in Jamaica. Gender differences were observed in maladaptive use and preference for online social interaction, with females exhibiting higher levels of both. The findings also indicated significant relationships between engagement levels, coolness dimensions, and maladaptive social media use risk profiles. Overall, this study sheds light on the complex relationship between coolness, social media use, and addiction-like symptoms, providing insights into the Jamaican context.

Adolescents’ Online Communication and Self-Disclosure to Online and Offline Acquaintances

Abstract: Adolescents commonly use the Internet to communicate with their acquaintances. This study examines how social anxiety and depressed moods influence adolescents’ online communication – both its frequency and the level of self-disclosure. We propose that these relationships are mediated by adolescents’ preference for online social interaction (POSI), which helps explain the mixed results of previous research. Moreover, since the communication patterns may differ based on communication partners, we differentiate between online and offline acquaintances. Using structural equation modeling, we tested our hypotheses on survey data from 1,530 Czech adolescents (ages 13–18, 50.1% female). Our results suggest that while social anxiety is directly related to less online communication, indirectly, through higher POSI, it is related to more online communication. Notably, these associations are canceled out in communication with online acquaintances, but the inhibitions predominate in communication with offline acquaintances. Experiencing depressed moods is associated with more extensive online communication, both directly and via POSI, indicating that adolescents use online communication to cope with negative feelings. Theoretically, our findings support both the rich-get-richer and social-compensation hypotheses and suggest they are complementary. Moreover, they emphasize the role of adolescents’ perceptions of online communication within the social-compensation mechanism.

Examining Online Behaviors of Young Adults During the Covid-19 Pandemic Social Isolation Period with Regard to Life Satisfaction, Loneliness, and Hostility.

The Covid-19 pandemic exposed individuals to intense restrictions and social isolation, as well as the possibility of deterioration of physical health. In the pandemic period, the Internet has become the principal avenue for social interaction, leisure related activities, and school-work pursuits for most people and consequently problematic Internet use (PIU) has increased dramatically in this period. Modeling of PIU among university students - considered one of the most negatively affected groups at this time - along with PIU subconstructs as well as indicators of psychological well-being - life satisfaction, loneliness, and hostility - will be valuable in directing future studies. This study examined the effects of the psychological well-being indicators of life satisfaction, loneliness, and hostility on PIU constructs; the preference for online social interaction, Internet use for mood regulation, and deficient self-regulation of Internet use during the Covid-19 pandemic social isolation period. Participants were 418 undergraduate students from a public university (130 male and 288 female). Results revealed that young adults with low life satisfaction have been more likely to problematically use the Internet to regulate their mood during the Covid-19 pandemic. Hostility and loneliness between which there is a moderately strong direct relationship, were similarly related to deficiently self-regulated Internet use. Moreover, individuals experiencing feelings of loneliness are more likely to use the Internet problematically for online social interaction purposes, while those experiencing feelings of hostility are more likely to use it problematically for mood regulation purposes. Given the significant relationships between indicators of psychological well-being and PIU, higher education institutions should take measures to prevent PIU behaviors in their students in case they face potential periods of social isolation.

Loneliness and problematic social networking sites use in young adults with poor vs. good sleep quality: The moderating role of gender

Despite the evidence of a relationship between loneliness, problematic social networking sites use (PSNSU), and sleep quality, associations between specific PSNSU symptoms and loneliness in individuals with poor vs. good sleep quality and possible gender differences have yet to be understood. We examined the relationships between loneliness and PSNSU symptoms (i.e., preference for online social interaction – POSI, mood regulation, deficient self-regulation, and negative outcomes), and possible moderating effects of gender for individuals with poor vs. good sleep quality. Seven hundred and sixty-three young adults completed an online survey including self-report measures of sleep quality, loneliness, and PSNSU symptoms. Individuals with poor sleep quality reported higher levels of loneliness and greater scores on all PSNSU domains than those with good sleep quality. Slope analyses revealed that in men vs. women with poor sleep quality, greater deficient self-regulation of social networking sites use was associated with lower levels of loneliness. Conversely, in men vs. women with good sleep quality, greater POSI was associated with higher levels of loneliness. Our findings showed that individuals with poor sleep quality are characterized by higher levels of loneliness and more severe PSNSU symptoms that may be the result of sleep disturbance-related metabolic, neural, and hormonal processes. Moreover, our results highlight gender differences for individuals with poor vs. good sleep quality which may help clarify the nature of the association between loneliness and PSNSU.

“I have no control over how much time I play” the metacognitions about online gaming scale: Evidence from a cross-cultural validation among Israeli adolescents

In the current study we evaluated the psychometric properties of the Metacognitions about Online Gaming Scale (MOGS), including its factor structure, reliability, and predictive validity among Israeli adolescents in a six-month prospective study. We also examined the usefulness of the MOGS as a mediator of the effect of attachment patterns on Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD), the preference for online social interactions, and the motives for online gaming. The study population included 1,056 Israeli adolescents (610 males and 446 females, M = 15.77, standard deviation (SD) = 1.43) with an age range of 13–18 years. The participants completed the translated Hebrew version of the MOGS and measures on attachment style, IGD, preference for online social interactions, emotion regulation, and motives for online gaming. The analyses indicated that the factorial structure of the Hebrew MOGS comprised the expected two factors at T1 and T2 (a six-month follow-up). We also found that positive and negative metacognitions significantly mediated the effect of attachment styles on IGD, the preference for online social interactions, and the motives for online gaming. The findings provide evidence that the Hebrew MOGS among Israeli adolescents appears psychometrically appropriate for use by researchers and practitioners dealing with the prevention and treatment of IGD.

Preference for online social interactions and support for violent radicalization among college and university students.

Young people are at increased risk of supporting violent radicalization (VR), and VR processes are increasingly happening online. Despite the important role that online socialization plays in the lives of digital natives as well as in VR processes, empirical research aimed to investigate the association between online socialization and support for VR among young people is scant. This article examines the association between preference for online social interactions and support for VR among students and investigates whether this association is moderated by social support and collective self-esteem and mediated by depressive symptoms. A total of 5,598 Canadian college and university students (Mage = 22.75, SDage = 7.45) responded to an online survey. We implemented multivariable mixed-effects regression models, stratified and mediation analyses. Greater preference for online social interactions was associated with stronger support for VR. Preference for online social interactions was a risk factor for VR, particularly at low levels of public self-esteem and social support as well as at high levels of importance attributed to one's group identity. Depressive symptoms partially mediated this association. Programs aimed to foster and value multiple identities and increase social support in educational settings are urgently needed to address the possible negative consequences of the online space on young people's mental health and support for violence. Prevention programs should address the provision of psychosocial support to students reporting depressive symptoms and help them build and maintain a supportive social network, as well as enhance inclusion at the societal level and across educational institutions. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Supplemental Material for Preference for Online Social Interactions and Support for Violent Radicalization Among College and University Students

Supplemental Material for Preference for Online Social Interactions and Support for Violent Radicalization Among College and University Students

Perceived-Social Isolation and Cyberbullying Involvement

Although perceived social isolation (i.e., feelings of loneliness and a perceived lack of social support) has been shown to be associated with the involvement in cyberbullying behaviors, little is known about the mediating mechanisms underlying this relationship. This study tested the mediating role of a preference for online social interaction in the association between perceived social isolation and cyberbullying involvement. Our findings demonstrated that increasing levels of perceived social isolation were associated with enhanced levels of preference for online social interaction, which in turn were associated with a higher probability of being involved in cyberbullying. These findings contribute significantly to the literature on both cyberbullying involvement and problematic internet use, and provide suggestions for practical applications.

Alone and lonely? How physical and perceived isolation can lead to problematic internet use

ABSTRACT Although physical isolation measures can stem the spread of COVID-19, they can also heighten individuals’ perceived isolation and feeling of loneliness, resulting in problematic internet use (PIU). However, studies have rarely investigated both the effects of physical and perceived isolation on PIU. Given the widespread availability and accessibility of digital communication technologies, it is difficult to conclude that the former may necessitate the latter inducing PIU. Using a two-wave longitudinal national survey in Singapore (n = 689), this study found that, at Time 1, both physical and perceived social isolation have direct and independent effects on internet users’ preference for online social interaction (POSI), driving PIU. This, in turn, leads to their experience of negative outcomes at Time 2. The results highlight the importance of considering the independent effects of physical and perceived isolation in affecting POSI leading to PIU.

Vulnerable Narcissism and Problematic Social Networking Sites Use: Focusing the Lens on Specific Motivations for Social Networking Sites Use.

Research highlighted that Problematic Social Networking Sites Use (PSNSU) and vulnerable narcissism are associated. However, the mechanisms underlying this relationship are still unclear. The present study aimed to test the mediating role of motives for social networking sites (SNSs) use between vulnerable narcissism and five symptoms of PSNSU (i.e., preference for online social interactions, mood regulation, cognitive preoccupation, compulsive use, and negative outcomes) in a sole model. Self-report questionnaires were completed by 344 SNSs users in the age range of 18–30 years (76.5% females; mean age = 23.80 years, standard deviation = 2.30 years). Vulnerable narcissism, three motives to use SNSs (coping, conformity, enhancement), and symptoms of PSNSU were assessed. Structural equation modeling was used to test for mediation. The results indicate that both motives with positive (i.e., enhancement) and negative (i.e., coping and conformity) valence partially mediated the association between vulnerable narcissism and different symptoms of PSNSU. We conclude that individuals with vulnerable narcissism may develop PSNSU not only as a compensatory strategy to cope with psychosocial difficulties but also as a result of a gratification-seeking process.

Tumblr Facts: Antecedents of Self-Disclosure across Different Social Networking Sites.

Previous research investigating antecedents of online self-disclosure pointed out two perspectives: social compensation and enhancement hypotheses, showing controversial findings. Furthermore, most contributions have focused on social networking sites (SNSs) considered mainstream, like Facebook and Instagram, and such results are often considered universally valid for all SNSs. Tumblr is a less-studied SNS with peculiar features—such as anonymity, higher control over the presentation of personal aspects, supportive communities—that could particularly lead individuals to self-disclose. As prior contributions highlighted that the features and affordances could define how a medium will be used, this paper aims to investigate the antecedents of online self-disclosure on Tumblr and other mainstream SNSs. We run a survey on 559 Tumblr users (aged 13–70; M = 28.86; SD = 12.34). T-test showed that Tumblr users have a higher willingness to self-disclose on Tumblr compared to another SNSs (t = 22.44, p < 0.001). A path analysis model confirmed the predictive role of some psychological variables on self-disclosure on Tumblr but not on mainstream SNSs. In particular, self-disclosure on Tumblr was predicted by self-esteem, negative emotionality, and preference for online social interactions, which was in turn predicted by social anxiety. These findings partially supported both social compensation and enhancement hypotheses, indicating that the phenomenon is more complex than expected.

Problematic internet use: the preference for online social interaction and the motives for using the Internet as a mediating factor

The preference for online social interaction has been seen as an antecedent for problematic use of the Internet and social networks, which is associated with problems of social anxiety and a lack of social skills. Based on a survey with a representative sample of 524 students in Compulsory Secondary Education (aged 12-14) in the Autonomous Region of Madrid (Spain), the role of motives of use as a factor that explains the problematic use of the Internet has been analysed as a mediating component between such problematic use and the preference for online social interaction. The results show that only when social networks are used to expand relationships and as a form of self-expression are there negative consequences for the individual, but not when such networks are used to maintain close relationships. Finally, is has been observed that such motives, which moderately predict problematic use, only slightly explain in part the relationship between the preference for online social interaction and problematic use. Therefore, further research is needed to investigate other motives for use that mediate this association, as well as the connection between the motive to expand social relationships together with self-expression, and other pre-existing personality factors that might lead to problematic use of the Internet and social networks.

Predictors of the dependence on smartphones: the neglect of studies among Muslim students

PurposeThis study aims to posit the extended version of the technology acceptance model to explain the psychological factors of Muslim university students’ smartphone addictive behaviour and neglect of studies. In particular, this research conceptualised addictive behaviour as smartphone dependency and proposed process usage, flow, habitual smartphone behaviour and preference for online social interaction (POSI) as the associated factors. Besides, this study investigated the effect of smartphone dependency on the neglect of studies.Design/methodology/approachFollowing the quantitative research design, this research tested the proposed model using data collected from Muslim students’ smartphone users in Malaysia. The analyses were based on the partial least squares–structural equation modelling technique.FindingsThe results revealed that flow has the most significant influence on smartphone dependency. Habitual behaviour and process usage were also significant predictors, but POSI was not significantly associated with smartphone dependency. Also, smartphone dependency was significantly related to the neglect of studies.Research limitations/implicationsThis study provides empirical support to guide university management in preventing Muslim students’ over-dependence on smartphones. The Muslim community is synonymous with time management, where overdependence would diminish students’ religious and academic responsibilities. Such overdependence can cause neglect of studies; thus, the research findings can assist the university in introducing policies and campaigns that can educate students on the negative consequences of this pervasive digital addiction and ways to overcome them. This study contributes to the body of knowledge in understanding Muslim students coping mechanisms through smartphone usage.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the literature by demonstrating the psychological factors of smartphone addiction and the resultant effect on the neglect of studies among Muslim university students.