Use Of Social Networking Services Research Articles

THE GENERATIONAL COMPARISONS OF SOCIAL NETWORK SITE USE SUBTYPES AND ITS ASSOCIATIONS WITH SELF-ESTEEM

Abstract This study aimed to identify subtypes of Social Network Service (SNS) use that affect self-esteem by applying a person-centered approach. The study also aimed to compare the SNS use subtypes and their associations with self-esteem between young and middle-aged adults in Korea. The sample included 2,572 young adults (18-44 years old) and 1,790 middle-aged adults (45-64 years old) drawn from the Korea Media Panel, a nationally representative dataset. Self-esteem was measured by the sum of ten questions from Rosenberg’s Self-Esteem Scale. Four indicators of SNS use (e.g., “How often do you check other people’s posts (feed)?”) were used to perform a 3-step Latent Profile Analysis, which accounts for classification errors. The results of the Latent Profile Analysis showed 5 and 4 subtypes of SNS use for young and middle-aged adults, respectively, depending on the frequency of active and passive usage. Overlapping subtypes include ‘passive-low’, ‘active-low’, ‘moderate’, and ‘high-active’ users. Young adults had one distinct subtype with a very high frequency of passive usage (checking others’ posts and liking them) but a very low frequency of active usage (sharing content with others). The results also revealed that those with more frequent use in both active and passive use showed the lowest self-esteem in both young and middle-aged groups. This study supports previous findings suggesting that frequent SNS use has negative impacts on self-esteem, even for middle-aged adults. Based on these results, digital literacy programs for middle-aged adults should cover healthy ways to use SNS.

한국 초기 성인의 팬데믹 이후 건강증진행위 영향요인 분석

This study identifies the level of post-pandemic health promotion behaviors among young adults in South Korea and the influence of social network service(SNS) addiction tendency and time management skills. Data were collected through an online survey from September to October 2022. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS 27.0. The participants’ health promotion behaviors were moderate, with the highest scores in personal hygiene and the lowest scores in diet and physical activity. Hierarchical regression analysis showed that Model 1, which includes general characteristics, explains 28.3% of post-pandemic health promotion behaviors; Model 2, which also includes SNS addiction tendency, explains 36.3%; and Model 3, which also includes time management ability, explains 50.6%. In conclusion, SNS addiction tendency and time management skills significantly affect young adults’ post-pandemic health promotion behaviors, and health promotion programs that include healthy SNS use and time management skills should be developed.

대학생의 상태자존감이 SNS 중독경향성에 미치는 영향

This study is about the relationship between SNS addiction tendency and self-esteem of university students who need to establish self-identity and prepare for adult life at the present time when SNS (social network services) use rate is rapidly increasing. It was attempted to help establish the right state self-esteem by identifying the impact and to help prepare measures to prevent SNS addiction. Data were collected using a Google questionnaire from March 9 to March 15, 2023, targeting university students from two universities located in B city. 260 copies of the questionnaire were distributed and 258 copies were used for the final analysis, excluding 2 copies with incorrect responses. The collected data were subjected to frequency analysis, t-test, ANOVA, Duncan test, correlation analysis, and multiple regression analysis using SPSS Statistics 25.0 program. The main results of the study are as follows: First, among the sub-factors of state self-esteem, 'functional self-esteem' showed differences according to grade level and SNS usage time, 'essential self-esteem' by gender, and 'social self-esteem' by gender, grade level, and SNS usage time. Second, SNS addiction tendency was found to be different according to gender and SNS usage time. Third, SNS addiction tendency was found to have a negative (-) correlation with functional self-esteem, essential self-esteem, and social self-esteem. Fourth, as for factors influencing SNS addiction tendency, gender female and SNS use time had a positive (+) effect, functional self-esteem and social self-esteem had a negative (-) effect. In conclusion, first, when operating an SNS addiction prevention program at a university, it is necessary to apply a program that can increase 'essential self-esteem' while reflecting the characteristics of each gender. Second, a relationship building program that can reduce the difficulty of interpersonal relationships without excessive use of SNS should be conducted. Third, it is necessary to apply a self-esteem strengthening program that can lower depression and anxiety and increase 'functional self-esteem' and 'social self-esteem' as well as educational programs on the correct use of SNS.

The Relationship between Social Network Service Use Motives and Subjective Well-Being: The Mediating Effect of Online and Offline Social Capital.

The purpose of this study was to examine the mediating effect of social capital on the relationship between Social Media use motives and subjective well-being. In the study, online self-reporting surveys were conducted with Social Media users in their 20s, and data from 445 participants were used for structural equation modeling. The main findings of the study were as follows. First, the interpersonal motives for Social Media use had an indirect effect on subjective well-being by mediating offline bonding capital and online bonding capital. In addition, interpersonal motives had an indirect effect on subjective well-being by dual-mediating online and offline bonding capital. Second, the self-expression motive for Social Media use did not directly affect subjective well-being, but it indirectly affected subjective well-being by mediating offline bonding capital. Third, the information-seeking motive for Social Media use did not directly affect subjective well-being, but it indirectly affected subjective well-being by mediating offline bonding capital. This study identified a specific mechanism for how motives for using Social Media affect subjective well-being. Furthermore, the results of this study suggest that the effect of Social Media use on subjective well-being may differ depending on the motive for Social Media use.

Selecting, Optimizing, and Compensating During Lockdown: How Older Consumers Use Social Networking Services to Improve Social Well-Being

During the COVID-19 pandemic, older consumers have increased their usage of social networking services (SNSs) to avoid social isolation, yet this behavior remains unexplored. Through selective optimization with compensation theory, the authors combine concepts from gerontology and marketing to investigate the following research question: How does older consumers’ usage of SNSs during the pandemic interrelate with the constructs of social well-being? The research draws on qualitative data collated during lockdown in the United Kingdom, including 14 semistructured interviews from participants age 65–80 and six months of netnographic data from an online forum geared toward older people. The findings reveal how older consumers leverage three strategies—selection, optimization, and compensation—to improve their use of SNSs and social interactions during lockdowns. Such behaviors in turn interrelate with the dimensions of social well-being: social acceptance, social integration, social contribution, social actualization, and social coherence. This research contributes to the marketing literature by (1) introducing a framework for transformative SNSs into transformative service research, (2) utilizing theory from gerontology studies to further understand the older consumer, and (3) enhancing the sparse understanding of older consumers’ use of SNSs. Future research directions and managerial implication are suggested for both marketers and developers of SNSs for aging consumers.

Does Smartphone Use Make Older Adults Feel Younger? A Cross-Sectional Online Survey during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Subjective age (i.e., how old one feels) has been found to be a biopsychosocial marker of aging. This study examined the associations between subjective age and the frequency of information and communication technology (ICT) usage by older adults. Data were collected via an online survey conducted in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study analyzed responses from participants aged 65 to 89 (M = 71.9, SD = 3.9) who resided in Japan (N = 1631, 52.8% female). Subjective age was indexed by asking participants to specify in years how old they felt. Proportional discrepancy scores (PDS) were calculated to indicate younger or older subjective age and were used as an independent variable. Participants were asked about the frequency of computer, smartphone, flip phone, tablet, and social networking service (SNS) use. Two-thirds of the participants (63.6%) reported feeling younger than their actual age. Nearly 90% reported using computers for more than 2-3 days a week, while 64.3% reported smartphone use, 22.9% reported flip phone use, and 36.6% reported SNS use. Logistic regression analyses revealed that a lower PDS (i.e., feeling younger) was associated with a significantly higher frequency of smartphone use (OR: 0.77; 95% CI: 0.60, 0.98) after adjusting for potential confounders. No such association was found for computer, flip phone, tablet, or SNS use. Our study found that feeling younger was associated with a higher frequency of smartphone use. The daily use of smartphones may have helped older adults stay in touch with family and friends and obtain the information that they needed, which may have contributed to better psychological well-being outcomes, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Enjoyment or Indulgence? Social Media Service Usage, Social Gratification, Self-Control Failure and Emotional Health.

Social networking site smartphone applications have been widely used among Chinese young adults. However, less is known about their effects on emotional health and the mechanisms through which they function. This study analyzes the relationship between college students' smartphone social networking service use patterns, social gratification, social media self-control failure, and emotional health. Data was collected from 360 college students in China via application log tracking and a self-administered questionnaire. Structural equation modeling results showed that, after controlling for demographic variables, the use of video social networking site smartphone applications was associated with decreased social gratification, and ultimately, adverse emotional health. Using social networking site smartphone applications late at night exhibited worse emotional health via more social media self-control failure. The implications for designing and using social media applications are discussed.

SOCIAL MEDIA IN ADOLESCENCE: A NEW ARENA FOR SEXUALITY, RISKY BEHAVIORS, IDENTITY, AND RELATIONSHIPS

Relevance. The use of social networking services (SNSs) has been reported as one of the favorite activities for adolescents. Over the past decade, SNSs have become some of the most important venues for socializing, as well as identity-building. Adolescence is the phase during which individuals construct a critical part in the process of constructing their sexual identity and gender. The aim of this review was to explore and address the way in which social media and SNSs are affecting and changing adolescent sexuality, the type of relationship adolescents establish in their fi rst sexual experiences, including possible risky consequences like cyberbullying, sexting, revenge pornography, excessive use of the Internet, and risky sexual behaviors. Research methods and sample: We included most of the literature found on the specifi c topic of SNSs, using the two databases Pubmed and PsycInfo. Main results: SNSs have become venues for young people to construct themselves, and this can produce positive and negative effects. SNSs offer several opportunities for adolescents to explore their sexuality, and cybersex is often the fi rst activity through which teenagers can explore their sexuality freely. SNS use inevitably affects and is related to adolescents’ sexuality and relationships with peers, sometimes with increasing inclination to risk-taking attitudes and related behaviors. Conclusion: Adolescents are now developing their identities and relationships, including those of a sexual nature, at least in part, in online contexts, particularly via SNSs. As a mechanism for identity and relational development, these online environments present both benefi ts and risks to youth development. Thus, it is essential for clinical providers working with adolescents and families with adolescents to offer support for the positives that youth experience via technology while also working with them to develop preventative and coping strategies to address the risks they may encounter in online environments.

Associations of social networking service use with subjective health, depression, and social isolation in community-dwelling older adults

[in Japanese]

The Impact of Social Media and Digital Platforms Experience on SME International Orientation: The Moderating Role of COVID-19 Pandemic

Drawing on network learning theory, it investigates the effect of small and medium-sized enterprises' (SMEs) experience of using foreign and domestic social network services (SNS) and foreign and domestic platforms (such as B2B digital platforms) on their international orientation. We further examine the moderating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the relationship between digital experience and international orientation. Empirical results from a sample of 373 observations from 250 Chinese SMEs show that their use of foreign SNS and B2B digital platforms has a stronger positive impact on their international orientation than their use of domestic SNS and B2B digital platforms. Even with the COVID-19 pandemic, SMEs' use of foreign SNS still has a stronger positive impact on their international orientation than their use of domestic SNS. Moreover, the COVID-19 pandemic mitigates the positive impact of their use of both foreign and domestic platforms on their international orientation. This study presents some interesting theoretical and practical implications for SMEs' digitalization and internationalization.

Health literacy and health care experiences of migrant workers during the COVID-19 pandemic: a qualitative study

BackgroundMigrant workers are among the most vulnerable populations in society. This study explored the health-literacy experiences of migrant workers in South Korea and how the workers’daily lives have been affected by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.MethodsWe conducted a series of semi-structured individual and focus-group interviews with 23 migrant workers (eight Cambodians, six Nepalese, four Sri Lankans, three Bangladeshis, and two Pakistanis) residing in the Daegu and Busan metropolitan areas of South Korea. All interviews were digitally recorded and transcribed verbatim. The data were analyzed using content analysis.ResultsMigrant workers had difficulty accessing and using health care services due, in large part, to linguistic barriers and a lack of an adequate support system. Four main themes were identified: difficulty understanding and using medical services, obtaining necessary health and safety information, the impact of COVID-19, and protecting oneself from becoming infected with COVID-19. Most workers depended on information from social networking services (SNS) and co-workers.ConclusionsMigrant workers’ difficulty with health care access was exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings suggest the necessity of enhancing migrant workers' health literacy, along with the use of SNS as a viable pathway for sharing health information and resources.

The Effects of Social Networking Services on Tourists’ Intention to Visit Mega-Events during the Riyadh Season: A Theory of Planned Behavior Model

The economic, cultural and environmental benefits of mega-events justify conducting tourism research articles based on tourists’ intention to visit the event destination. These decisions are likely influenced by behavioral attributes and social interaction. In the current study, we assessed potential predictors of tourists’ intention to visit the Riyadh Season using a theory of planned behavior (TPB) model and three variables of social networking service (SNS) variables, including SNS use, SNS content and trip experience sharing (TES). Results showed that the perceived behavioral control and subjective norms were antecedent TPB predictors of participants’ intentions to visit the destination. Additionally, the benefits of SNS content in organizing/planning events were independently associated with behavioral motivations. SNS attributes were not significant moderators of the relationship between subjective norms and tourists’ intentions. National authorities are required to focus on improving the content of SNS while planning for future mega-events to enrich tourists’ experience and support their motivation and decision.

Social Networking Services as a Tool for Support of Mothers: A Literature Review.

Difficulties experienced by mothers in raising their children can be resolved using social networking services (SNSs). Being aware of issues associated with SNSs in such situations may be useful for supporting mothers. We herein review the issues associated with using SNSs to support mothers. This review was conducted using an electronic search engine to search for articles that described issues associated with using SNSs to support mothers, and which were published up to August 2022. After screening, a total of 19 articles were included. We thematically categorized the contents into three major issues associated with using SNSs for support of mothers: (1) issues on the management side, (2) issues on the user side, and (3) social and environmental issues. The mainly discussed issues were the safety of using SNSs and/or securing and training human resources on the management side, busyness of mothers on the user side, as well as sociocultural and communication environment-related limitations as social and environmental issues. The issues we detected would aid in developing the use of SNSs as a tool to support mothers. Further research on these issues is needed.

Systematic Machine Translation of Social Network Data Privacy Policies

With the growing popularity of online social networks, one common desire of people is to use of social networking services for establishing social relations with others. The boom of social networking has transformed common users into content (data) contributors. People highly rely on social sites to share their ideas and interests and express opinions. Social network sites store all such activities in a data form and exploit the data for various purposes, e.g., marketing, advertisements, product delivery, product research, and even sentiment analysis, etc. Privacy policies primarily defined in Natural Language (NL) specify storage, usage, and sharing of the user’s data and describe authorization, obligation, or denial of specific actions under specific contextual conditions. Although these policies expressed in Natural Language (NL) allow users to read and understand the allowed (or obliged or denied) operations on their data, the described policies cannot undergo automatic control of the actual use of the data by the entities that operate on them. This paper proposes an approach to systematically translate privacy statements related to data from NL into a controlled natural one, i.e., CNL4DSA to improve the machine processing. The methodology discussed in this work is based on a combination of standard Natural Language Processing (NLP) techniques, logic programming, and ontologies. The proposed technique is demonstrated with a prototype implementation and tested with policy examples. The system is tested with a number of data privacy policies from five different social network service providers. Predominantly, this work primarily takes into account two key aspects: (i) The translation of social networks’ data privacy policy and (ii) the effectiveness and efficiency of the developed system. It is concluded that the proposed system can successfully and efficiently translate any common data policy based on an empirical analysis performed of the obtained results.

How Do Passive Social Networking Services Use and Its Antecedents Affect Users' Continuance Intention? An Empirical Study of WeChat Use.

Although social networking services (SNSs) have attracted billions of people to maintain and extend their social relationships online, more and more passive usage behaviors have been found during the daily SNS usage. The aim of this paper is to investigate how SNS users' continuance intention is affected by passive SNS use, subjective well-being, as well as perceived concern regarding privacy and impression management. A research model was developed according to the proposed hypotheses, and then partial least square (PLS) SEM was adopted to empirically assess the valid data collected from 389 WeChat users. The findings show that passive SNS use cannot significantly undermine continuance intention, but it has a negative moderating effect on the relationship between subjective well-being and continuance intention. Besides, the results of empirical research also reveal the antecedents of passive SNS use and subjective well-being from the perspectives of privacy concern and impression management concern, and thereby present the mechanism underlying users' continuance intention. This study enriches the SNS literature by indicating the moderating role of passive SNS use in the process of SNS usage, which facilitates the understanding regarding how users' continuance intention can be influenced when they use SNSs passively. This study can help SNS providers to better understand the factors affecting users' continuance intention in the case of passive SNS use, and then formulating effective strategies for retaining users and avoiding passive usage behaviors.

Information and communication technology, educational attainment, and disparity in health information from one's personal social network: The J-SHINE 2017 cross-sectional study.

Previous studies suggested that accessibility to others with useful health information depends on one’s educational background. While Information and Communication Technology is thought to affect health information disparities, it remains unclear whether it widens or narrows them. We aimed to examine how four types of communication media—face-to-face/telephone, E-mail, LINE, social network service (SNS)—modify the association between educational background and accessibility to useful health information in the personal network of Japanese adults. We used data from the third-wave Japanese Study on Stratification, Health, Income, and Neighborhood (J-SHINE) survey conducted in 2017, which targeted middle-aged adults living in four municipalities within Japanese metropolitan areas. The results demonstrated that SNS use moderated the gap between educational backgrounds, suggesting that SNS can be an interventional leverage to close a health-related information gap between socioeconomic positions.

A Study of Japanese University Students Influenced by the Covid-19 Pandemic and their Awareness with Their One’s Own Face

In 2019, an outbreak of novel coronavirus infection (hereafter referred to as Covid-19) occurred, and on January 16, 2020, the first case of an infected person was confirmed in Japan. Now that more than two years have passed, the world is gradually returning to normal. However, the increased use of Social Networking Services (SNS) and web conferencing tools has caused young people, who are accustomed to seeing filtered faces, to become dissatisfied and uncomfortable with their own real faces. This has resulted in an increased number of young people who have become dissatisfied and mentally stressed with their facial features and expressions. Therefore, the author conducted a study on young people aged 18–20 years old in 2022 regarding this issue. The author evaluated the changes in awareness one’s own face between the Covid-19 pandemic and the present among students attending Japanese universities, despite being affected by Covid-19 in the latter half of their high school or college years. The results indicated that 49.2% of the respondents revealed that their awareness their own faces had changed during the Covid-19 pandemic. Based on these findings, it is necessary for educators and parents to take considerable actions, so that young people do not become obsessed with the quality of their facial features and feel unduly stressed. Furthermore, young people should not be ashamed of their real, unfiltered faces.

Examining the impact of sex differences and the COVID-19 pandemic on health and health care: findings from a national cross-sectional study.

Lay SummaryThe COVID-19 pandemic has had unprecedented and potentially irreversible impacts on health and health care globally. Many complex issues and factors therefore need to be accounted for as we look at the long-term impact of COVID-19 on humanity and society and how this ongoing crisis continues to affect health and health care outcomes for different populations. There are significant health disparities and sex inequalities associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. Sex-responsive interventions are imperative to address widening sex gaps resulting from the pandemic. Although many researchers have studied the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on health disparities, there is a lack of research on the sole and joint association of the pandemic or sex differences and their specific impact on health and health care. The study examined the association of the COVID-19 pandemic, the association of sex, and the joint association of sex and the COVID-19 pandemic with health communication, physical activity, mental health, and behavioral health. We also highlighted the application of Bonferroni corrections when conducting multiple hypotheses testing simultaneously.ObjectiveTo examine the association of the COVID-19 pandemic, the association of sex, and the joint association of sex and the COVID-19 pandemic with health communication, physical activity, mental health, and behavioral health.MethodsWe drew data from the National Cancer Institute's 2020 Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS). We described and compared the characteristics of social determinants of health, physical activity, mental health, alcohol use, patterns of social networking service use, and health information data sharing. Analyses were weighted to provide nationally representative estimates. Multivariate models (multiple linear regression, multiple logistic regression, and multinomial logistic model) were used to assess the sole and joint association with sex and pandemic. In addition, we applied the Bonferroni correction to adjust p-values to decrease the risks of type I errors when making multiple statistical tests.ResultsFemales were more likely to use mobile health and health communication technologies than males, and the difference increased after the pandemic. The association between sex and mental health was significant after the COVID-19 pandemic. Females were more likely to experience depression or anxiety disorders. Both males and females had a slight decrease in terms of the quantity and intensity of physical activity and females were less likely to perform moderate exercise and strength training regularly. Males were likely to drink more alcohol than females.ConclusionThe COVID-19 pandemic amplifies the differences between males and females in health communication, physical activity, mental health, and behavioral health. Intersectional analyses of sex are integral to addressing issues that arise and mitigating the exacerbation of inequities. Responses to the pandemic should consider diverse perspectives, including sex.

Architects Reactions to COVID-19 Pandemic with Evidence from Their Social Media Accounts

The crisis caused by the covid-19 pandemic is being experienced by consecutive waves of effects, and more is expected until it settles down. The restrictions forced many of us to stay indoors, work remotely and communicate online, as much as possible. Although the advances in ICT were increasing online communication and remote work practice, a change in such a scale was not something expected this abruptly. Besides, the change did not stay limited to the work environment and blurred the line between private lives and the business environment. Social Networking Service (SNS) use increased exponentially both for business and social needs. This sudden change triggered by the pandemic not only challenged the way we work and communicate but also many questions about the future of the built environment emerged. This study attempts to identify the similarities and differences between reactions of a group of Turkish and international architects during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, by using the data retrieved from their corporate SNS accounts. A mix of qualitative and quantitative methodology is adopted for content analysis of Instagram (IG) accounts. There are significant differences between architects’ social network use and their expressed reactions to the pandemic. These differences are both between the Turkish and international architect groups, but also between the group members. Similar studies with different groups of architects, regions and the use of different SNSs should be repeated to compare the results and implications. One of the main contributions of this article is that, it tries to draw attention towards the role of SNSs for the architects to develop a professional identity in digital mediums and administer it within the company’s management strategy. Research on architects’ professional social media use and its implications on their management strategy and corporate practice seem quite scarce. The knowledge gap in this area is promising for further research.

Social Networking Service, Patient-Generated Health Data, and Population Health Informatics: National Cross-sectional Study of Patterns and Implications of Leveraging Digital Technologies to Support Mental Health and Well-being.

BackgroundThe emerging health technologies and digital services provide effective ways of collecting health information and gathering patient-generated health data (PGHD), which provide a more holistic view of a patient’s health and quality of life over time, increase visibility into a patient’s adherence to a treatment plan or study protocol, and enable timely intervention before a costly care episode.ObjectiveThrough a national cross-sectional survey in the United States, we aimed to describe and compare the characteristics of populations with and without mental health issues (depression or anxiety disorders), including physical health, sleep, and alcohol use. We also examined the patterns of social networking service use, PGHD, and attitudes toward health information sharing and activities among the participants, which provided nationally representative estimates.MethodsWe drew data from the 2019 Health Information National Trends Survey of the National Cancer Institute. The participants were divided into 2 groups according to mental health status. Then, we described and compared the characteristics of the social determinants of health, health status, sleeping and drinking behaviors, and patterns of social networking service use and health information data sharing between the 2 groups. Multivariable logistic regression models were applied to assess the predictors of mental health. All the analyses were weighted to provide nationally representative estimates.ResultsParticipants with mental health issues were significantly more likely to be younger, White, female, and lower-income; have a history of chronic diseases; and be less capable of taking care of their own health. Regarding behavioral health, they slept <6 hours on average, had worse sleep quality, and consumed more alcohol. In addition, they were more likely to visit and share health information on social networking sites, write online diary blogs, participate in online forums or support groups, and watch health-related videos.ConclusionsThis study illustrates that individuals with mental health issues have inequitable social determinants of health, poor physical health, and poor behavioral health. However, they are more likely to use social networking platforms and services, share their health information, and actively engage with PGHD. Leveraging these digital technologies and services could be beneficial for developing tailored and effective strategies for self-monitoring and self-management.