Social Networking Sites Addiction Research Articles

Addiction to Social Networking Sites and User Responses

Prior studies have primarily used "variable-centered" perspectives to identify factors underlying user responses to social networking site (SNS) addiction, their predictors and outcomes. This paper extends this perspective by taking a person-centered approach to examine (1) the prototypical subpopulations (profiles) of users' extent of SNS addiction and responses to it, (2) how affiliations with these profiles can explain user behaviors toward SNS use, and (3) how personality traits can predict affiliations with these profiles. To this end, we propose a typological theory of SNS addiction and user responses to it via two empirical, personcentered studies. Study 1 draws on survey data from 188 SNS users to develop a typology of users based on the extent of their SNS addiction and their responses to it. It further examines the relations between affiliation with these profiles and users' SNS discontinuance intention, as a typical behavioral response to SNS addiction. Study 2 uses survey data from 284 SNS users to validate the user typology developed in Study 1 and investigate its relations to users' Big Five personality traits. Our findings shed light on a typology of five prototypical profiles of SNS users-cautious, regular, consonant, dissonant, and hooked-who differ in their extent of SNS addiction and their cognitive, emotional, and behavioral responses to it. Our findings also demonstrate how Big Five personality traits can predict user affiliations with these prototypical profiles.

PREDICTING SOCIAL NETWORK ADDICTION USING VARIANT SIGMOID TRANSFER FEED-FORWARD NEURAL NETWORKS (FNN-SNA)

Researchers have reflected on personal traits that may predict Social Networking Sites (SNS) addiction. However, most of the researchers involved in the findings of personality traits predictor for social networking addiction either postulate or based their conclusions on analytical tools. Moreso, a review of the literature reveals that the prediction of social networking addiction using classifiers have not been well researched. We examined the prediction of SNS addiction from a well-structured questionnaire consisting of sixteen (16) personality traits. The questionnaire was administered on the google form with a response rate of 95% out of the 102-sample size. Additionally, a three (3) variant sigmoid transfer feed- forward neural networks was developed for the prediction of SNS addiction. Result indicated that pertinence (β = 0.251, p 0.01) was the most powerful predictor of social networking addiction in general and less obscurity addiction (β = 0.244, p 0.01). Experimental results also showed that the developed classifier correctly predict SNS addiction with 98% accuracy compared to similar classifiers.
 
 

Effects of social networking site overloads on discontinuous intentions of users: a moderated mediation analysis

ABSTRACT Pervasive social networking sites (SNSs) access has forced people to pay continuous attention to the overwhelming volume of information which ultimately increases their usage. The extensive use of SNSs has contributed to the overuse of technology and that can lead to overload which may produce negative behavioural consequences. This study used cognitive load theory as foundation of the model to examine the effect of overloads and discontinuous intentions incorporating SNS addiction, social media self-efficacy and SNS fatigue. To test the proposed model and hypothesis, a total of 371 Chinese university students participated in the study. Findings reveal that information and communication overload exert a direct impact on SNS addiction, and the relationship between SNS addiction and discontinuous intentions amongst users is negatively significant. The moderated mediation analysis result indicates that social media self-efficacy moderates the mediating effect of SNS addiction between overloads (information and communication) and discontinuous intentions. Moreover, the relationship between SNS addiction and discontinuous intentions is partially mediated by SNS fatigue. Implications emphasise that SNS providers should effectively prevent the negative behavioural response of SNS users by providing training on the effective use of SNSs.

The contributions of social comparison to social network site addiction.

Excessive use of social network sites (SNSs) can often lead to negative consequences of frequent upward social comparisons despite having the social network platform to present users in a favorable light. However, the existing literature gives little evidence to social comparison related antecedents and consequents of uncontrollable use of SNSs. The present study aimed to investigate the contributions of social comparison to SNS addiction. In Study 1, using a convenient sample in Austria (n = 103), we showed that the tendency to engage in social comparisons of ability (but not of opinion) predicted self-reported SNS addiction over and above the feelings of relative deprivation on social support and status. SNS addiction mediated the relations between social comparison of ability and stress, but not self-esteem. In Study 2, using a broad sample of participants in Austria (n = 500), we replicated the findings observed in Study 1 and showed that contrastive upward social comparison emotions (i.e., envy, depression) mediated the relation between SNS addiction and lower self-esteem whereas the contrastive downward social comparison emotion (i.e., contentment) mediated the relation between SNS addiction and higher self-esteem. Our findings suggest that SNS addiction closely relates to psychological constructs relevant to social comparison, mediates the link between social comparison of ability and detrimental consequences (i.e., stress, well-being) and demonstrate how social comparison emotions relate to both positive and negative associations between SNS addiction and self-esteem.

Validation of the Greek version of the Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale in Undergraduate Students.

Social Networking Sites (SNSs) number at least 3.81 billion users worldwide, while in Greece, 74.7% of internet users resort to SNSs. However, there is no instrument adapted to the Greek language that assesses addiction to SNSs. The Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale is a short 6-item questionnaire that assesses social media addiction. This study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Greek version of the Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale. The sample consisted of 325 University students (mean age 21.6 years, SD=5.26). Confirmatory factor analysis was performed that supported the one-factor model. The reliability of the tool was tested with various indicators and was found to be satisfactory. The regression analysis identified gender, time of SNSs use, number of SNSs held by an individual and stress as statistically significant predictors of SNSs addiction. Positive correlations were found between SNSs addiction and stress, depression, anxiety and loneliness, while negative correlations were observed between SNSs addiction, self-esteem and age. Stress fully mediated the relationship between depression and SNSs addiction. The findings of the present study indicate that the Greek version of the Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale is a valid and reliable instrument for assessing SNSs addiction. The relationship between SNSs addiction and the biopsychosocial model was confirmed.

Social Networking Site Use During the COVID-19 Pandemic and Its Associations With Social and Emotional Well-being in College Students: Survey Study

BackgroundSocial distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic has reduced the frequency of in-person social interactions. College students were highly impacted, since many universities transferred curriculum from in-person to entirely online formats, physically separating students with little notice. With social distancing, their use of social networking sites (SNSs) likely changed during the COVID-19 pandemic, possibly holding implications for well-being.ObjectiveThis study aimed to determine (1) how components of SNS use (ie, weekly frequency, time per day, habitual use, engagement, enjoyment, addiction, and emotional impact) changed from before to during COVID-19, (2) how these changes in SNS use were associated with pandemic-related social and emotional well-being, and (3) how SNS use and changes in use during the pandemic were associated with loneliness.MethodsCollege students (N=176) were surveyed during the time when their university campus in the United States was operating online. Participants completed the same SNS use questionnaires twice, once with regard to the month preceding the onset of COVID-19 and again with regard to the month since this time. They also reported the extent to which they experienced perceived change in social support resulting from the pandemic, pandemic-related stress, and general loneliness.ResultsAfter the onset of COVID-19, participants showed an increase in daily time spent on SNSs (t169=5.53, d=0.42, P<.001), habitual use (t173=3.60, d=0.27, P<.001), and addiction (t173=4.96, d=0.38, P<.001); further, enjoyment on SNSs decreased (t173=–2.10, d=–0.16, P=.04) and the emotional impact of SNS activities became more negative (t172=–3.76, d=–0.29, P<.001). Increased perceived social support during COVID-19 was associated with changes in frequency of SNS use, time per day, addiction, and engagement (r>0.18 for all). Pandemic-related stress was associated with changes in SNS addiction and the extent to which one’s SNS content was related to the pandemic (r>0.20 for all). Loneliness was positively associated with SNS addiction (r=0.26) and negatively associated with SNS engagement (r=–0.19) during the pandemic. Loneliness was also negatively associated with changes in habit and engagement (r<–0.15 for all).ConclusionsFindings suggest that components of SNS use are associated with both positive and negative pandemic-related social outcomes, but largely negative pandemic-related emotional outcomes. Further, some components of SNS use are positively associated with loneliness (eg, addiction) while others show a negative association (eg, engagement). These findings provide a more nuanced picture of how SNS use is associated with social and emotional well-being during the time of a global health crisis when in-person interactions are scarce.

The Impact of Social Network Site Addiction on Depression in Chinese Medical Students: A Serial Multiple Mediator Model Involving Loneliness and Unmet Interpersonal Needs.

The use of social network sites (SNSs) is inevitable in daily life. Everyone is likely to be addicted to SNSs, especially medical students. This study is aimed to assess the degree of SNS addiction and its relation to psychosocial factors such as depression, loneliness and unmet interpersonal needs among Chinese medical students. The cross-section survey was conducted from March to May in 2018 in Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine. Of the total 1067 participants, 33.18% had an SNS addiction, 87.7% of the participants used SNSs every day during last month and 53.42% of the participants used SNSs for at least an hour per day during the last week. SNS addiction is positively related with depression both directly and indirectly. The mediating roles of loneliness and unmet interpersonal needs on the relationship between SNS addiction and depression are significant. For the well-being of medical students, efforts should be taken to prevent them from becoming addicted to SNSs.

Peer Phubbing and Social Networking Site Addiction: The Mediating Role of Social Anxiety and the Moderating Role of Family Financial Difficulty.

A growing body of research has pinpointed the consequences as well as mechanisms of phubbing. However, few studies have explored the relationship between peer phubbing and social networking site addiction. Based on the self-determination theory, the exclusion theory of anxiety, the social compensation model, and the reserve capacity model, the present study examined whether peer phubbing was positively related to social networking site addiction among undergraduates, whether social anxiety mediated the relationship, and whether this mediating process was moderated by family financial difficulty. Our theoretical model was tested using the data collected from 1,401 Chinese undergraduates (Mage = 18.83 years, standard deviation = 0.93). The participants completed anonymous questionnaires that assessed their peer phubbing, social anxiety, social networking site addiction, and family financial difficulty. The correlation analysis indicated that peer phubbing was positively associated with social networking site addiction. The testing for moderated mediation further revealed that social anxiety partially mediated the association between peer phubbing and social networking site addiction, with family financial difficulty moderating the first stage. To be specific, the indirect association between peer phubbing and social networking site addiction via social anxiety was stronger for undergraduates in high family financial difficulty. The results from this study extend research on the potential consequences of phubbing as well as highlight the significance of uncovering the underlying mechanisms.

Socioeconomic status and social networking site addiction among children and adolescents: Examining the roles of parents' active mediation and ICT attitudes

Social networking sites (SNS) addiction has become a social problem among young adolescents in many areas of the world. The current study examined the role of socioeconomic status (SES) in children and adolescents' SNS addiction, taking into account parents' attitudes and behavior with regard to information communication technology (ICT). Participants were 823 students (ages 9–15; 49.94 % girls) who completed questionnaires in their classrooms. The results showed that: (1) SES was negatively associated with SNS addiction; (2) active parental mediation mediated this association; and (3) parents' ICT attitude moderated this mediating effect; specifically, the association between SES and active parental mediation was weaker for parents with more positive attitudes toward ICT. These findings provide guidance for prevention and intervention related to children and adolescents’ SNS addiction.

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SOCIAL NETWORKING ADDICTION AND ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC

The purpose of the present study is to explore the undergraduate student's social network addiction levels and relationship with academic performance. In addition to that, this research compares the undergraduate students' social networking sites addiction levels with respect to gender, habitat, age, semester of study, type of institution they graduate, experiences in social networking environments (years), time spent in social networking sites. This study was quantitative in nature. For this current research, a descriptive survey method was adopted. Data were collected through online survey dropping a mail on a large population of undergraduate students. Using convenience sampling techniques, 125 undergraduate students responded to the survey and it was taken for research. Collected data were analysed using SPSS and the hypotheses were tested using descriptive analysis, t-test, ANOVA and correlation analysis. Results revealed 65% undergraduate students addicted to social network sites and there was a linear relationship between social networking sites addiction levels and academic performance. Also, there was no significant difference in undergraduate student's social networking sites addiction with respect to gender, habitat, age, semester of study, type of institution they graduate, experiences in social networking environments (years), but there was a significant difference in undergraduate student's addiction and time spent in social networking sites.

Rejection Sensitivity and Psychological Capital as the Mediators Between Attachment Styles on Social Networking Sites Addiction

This study was based on the framework of attachment, reinforcement sensitivity, and positive psychology theories. The main objective is to investigate rejection sensitivity and psychological capital as the mediators between attachment styles on social networking sites addiction. The sample comprised 607 college students, and the data was collected using an online survey owing to the rapid development and penetration of social networking sites in China. Results demonstrated a mediating effect between rejection sensitivity, psychological capital, and attachment styles on social networking sites addiction. Moreover, fearful style is predicted significantly and positively on social networking sites addiction. Preoccupied style and dismissive-avoidant style are not significant effect on social networking sites addiction after adding the mediating variables of rejection sensitivity and psychological capital. Furthermore, attachment styles also influence the social networking sites addiction due to their dual effect on rejection sensitivity and psychological capital. Overall, the findings suggest that weakening rejection sensitivity, and enhancing psychological capital can be considered in future studies as contributors to social networking sites addiction for prevention or intervention studies.

Adolescent Sexting: The Role of Body Shame, Social Physique Anxiety, and Social Networking Site Addiction.

The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between body shame and participation in sexting among adolescents by examining the mediational roles of social physique anxiety and misuse of social networking sites (SNSs). Four hundred thirty-nine adolescents completed self-report measures for assessing their levels of body shame, social physique anxiety, SNS addiction symptoms, and sexting participation. Female adolescents reported higher scores in body shame, social physique anxiety, and SNS addiction symptoms, whereas male adolescents reported higher participation in sexting behaviors. In addition, gender did not moderate the relationship between body shame and higher sexting behaviors. Finally, the results showed an indirect (but not a direct) association between body shame and sexting behaviors through social physique anxiety and SNS addiction symptoms. These findings provide empirical evidence for the development of sexting prevention programs that are focused on body acceptance with the aim of reducing body shame, social physique anxiety, and SNS addiction.

The Prevalence of Addiction to Social Networking Sites and Its Impact on Well-Being among Students of Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia

The emergence of Social Networking Sites (SNS) has been changing many aspects of the students’ daily activities positively. But, inappropriate use of social networking sites may have negative effects like Social Networking Sites Addiction (SNSA) and disturbance of psychological and social well-being. The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of SNSA and its impact on well-being among Addis Ababa University, Main Campus students. A cross-sectional research design was employed to collect and analyse data for the study. Simple random sampling technique was used to select participants from the colleges. Two hundred nineteen (290) samples (141 males and 132 females) were selected from the total 1,143 3rd year students in the Campus. A standardized and pilot tested questionnaire was used to collect the data. Descriptive statistics such as percentage and frequency, independent samples t-test, ANOVA, Pearson’s Product-Moment correlation coefficient and linear regression were employed to analyse the data. The finding revealed that majority of the respondents was at the age of 21 - 25. All of the participants included in the analysis were a member of at least one SNS and most of them access SNS several times per day. According to the findings, 3.3% of participants were severely addicted to SNS and there is no gender difference in SNSA. The findings also showed that there was a statistically significant negative correlation between SNSA and both Psychological and Social Well-being. Moreover, recommendations were drawn based on the findings of the study. Keywords: Addiction , Prevalence, Social Networking Sites, Well-being DOI: 10.7176/NMMC/95-01 Publication date: January 31 st 2021

Relatedness frustration and compensatory behaviors in social networking sites among Chinese college students: Role of self-control failure

Based on the framework of the self-determination theory, the present study of Chinese college students was designed to investigate the relationships between relatedness frustration and compensatory behaviors on social networking sites (SNSs), as well as the mediating role of SNS self-control failure. Chinese college students (N = 461, 159 males; Mage = 18.62 ± .77) were recruited to complete online questionnaires measuring relatedness frustration, SNS self-control failure, and three types of SNS behaviors (immediate response to SNS signals, self-disclosure on SNSs, and SNS addiction symptoms). Path analyses indicated that relatedness frustration was directly associated with participants’ immediate response to SNS signals and SNS addiction symptoms. SNS self-control failure functioned as a mediator in the links between relatedness frustration and SNS addiction symptoms. This study provided empirical evidence of the relationship between relatedness frustration and SNS compensatory behaviors. Furthermore, the finding on the intervening role of SNS self-control failure offers some insights for designing intervention programs aimed to reduce maladaptive and addictive SNS activities.

A Study of Correlates of Social Networking Site Addiction among the Undergraduate Health Professionals

Introduction: Social networking sites (SNSs) are popular, and there is a concern regarding its addiction among the young adults. The present study aimed to find the correlates of SNS addiction among the undergraduate health professionals. Methods: This was a 6-month, cross-sectional, and observational study of 730 undergraduate health professionals of government medical, dental, and physiotherapy colleges of Jamnagar, Gujarat, India. Participants were selected using stratified random sampling from the medical, dental, and physiotherapy government colleges. The Social Media Disorder Scale was used to detect the SNS addiction, the Fear of Missing Out (FOMO) Scale was used to find the severity of FOMO, the Perceived Stress Scale was used to detect the severity of stress, and the Insomnia Severity Index was used to detect the severity of insomnia in health professionals. Descriptive statistics, Chi-square test, and multiple regression analysis were used for analysis of data. Results: The prevalence rate of SNS addiction was 15.02% among the undergraduate health professionals. Participants with addiction were using SNS widely (hostel, home, college, and leisure hours), spent more time and money on Internet, started SNS use before 5 years, and reported FOMO. They also reported moderate-to-severe stress and insomnia. Conclusion: SNS addiction is prevalent in undergraduate health professionals. High level of FOMO, perceived stress, and insomnia among the health professionals are important correlates with SNS addiction.

The Prevalence of Addiction to Social Networking Sites and Its Impact on Well-Being among Students of Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia

The emergence of Social Networking Sites (SNS) has been changing many aspects of the students’ daily activities positively. But, inappropriate use of social networking sites may have negative effects like Social Networking Sites Addiction (SNSA) and disturbance of psychological and social well-being. The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of SNSA and its impact on well-being among Addis Ababa University, Main Campus students. A cross-sectional research design was employed to collect and analyse data for the study. Simple random sampling technique was used to select participants from the colleges. Two hundred nineteen (290) samples (141 males and 132 females) were selected from the total 1,143 3rd year students in the Campus. A standardized and pilot tested questionnaire was used to collect the data. Descriptive statistics such as percentage and frequency, independent samples t-test, ANOVA, Pearson’s Product-Moment correlation coefficient and linear regression were employed to analyse the data. The finding revealed that majority of the respondents was at the age of 21 - 25. All of the participants included in the analysis were a member of at least one SNS and most of them access SNS several times per day. According to the findings, 3.3% of participants were severely addicted to SNS and there is no gender difference in SNSA. The findings also showed that there was a statistically significant negative correlation between SNSA and both Psychological and Social Well-being. Moreover, recommendations were drawn based on the findings of the study. Keywords: Addiction , Prevalence, Social Networking Sites, Well-being DOI: 10.7176/NMMC/95-01 Publication date: January 31 st 2021

A reward and incentive-sensitization perspective on compulsive use of social networking sites – Wanting but not liking predicts checking frequency and problematic use behavior

The use of Social Networking Sites (SNSs) has exponentially increased over the past decade, leading to warnings about the addictive potential of this technology. Yet, the idea of SNS addiction remains controversial and more theory-driven research is required to understand the mechanisms of excessive and compulsive SNS use and to facilitate the development of targeted interventions helping affected users. In the present article we propose to utilize a reward-based approach to further our understanding of these behaviors. In particular, we suggest that concepts borrowed from the drug addiction literature that focus on incentive processes (incentive-sensitization and cue reactivity) can explain some SNS behaviors, such as compulsive checking. One elemental finding of the neurobiological drug addiction literature is that repeated exposure to a rewarding substance can render the brain’s reward system oversensitive to cues related to the drug. We report preliminary findings from 358 participants showing that cue-elicited urges to use SNSs characterized both excessive and problematic use behaviors. Moreover, desires and urges to use SNSs (wanting responses) could be reliably dissociated from the enjoyment and pleasure (liking responses) associated with SNSs, with the latter being less predictive of the intensity and problematicity of behaviors than the former. Such divergence between motivational and hedonic processes is another hallmark finding in the literature on drug and food rewards. Together our initial findings thus suggest that examining alterations of reward processes holds promise to explain the compulsive use of SNSs and to identify potential avenues to help affected individuals.

Social Networking Sites Addiction and Materialism Among Chinese Adolescents: A Moderated Mediation Model Involving Depression and Need to Belong.

Recent research indicates that social networking site (SNS) addiction is positively associated with materialism. However, little attention has been paid to the potential mechanisms in this relationship. This study tested the mediating role of depression and the moderating role of need to belong (NTB) in the relationships between SNS addiction and adolescents’ materialism. This research model was tested among 733 adolescents in China (mean age = 16.79 years, SD = 0.91). The findings indicated that both SNS addiction and NTB were positively related to adolescents’ materialism. Mediation analyses showed that depression mediated the association between SNS addiction and adolescents’ materialism. Moderated mediation indicated that the effect of SNS addiction on materialism and the effect of SNS addiction on depression were exacerbated by NTB. This study can advance our understanding of how SNS could contribute to adolescents’ materialism in this digital society.

Parental conflict and social networking sites addiction in Chinese adolescents: The multiple mediating role of core self-evaluation and loneliness

Previous research has documented that parental conflict is positively associated with adolescent social networking sites (SNSs) addiction. However, the mediating mechanisms underlying this relation are largely unknown. The current aimed to study investigate the mediation effects of core self-evaluation and loneliness in the association between parental conflict and SNSs addiction. A sample of 1270 Chinese adolescents (Mage = 14.50, SDage = 1.59, 45% females) completed anonymous questionnaires regarding parental conflict, core self-evaluation, loneliness, and SNSs addiction. The findings revealed that both core self-evaluation and loneliness mediated the link between parental conflict and SNSs addiction. In addition, core self-evaluation and loneliness sequentially mediated the associated between parental conflict and SNSs addiction. The multiple mediation analysis reveals that core self-evaluation and loneliness can not only in parallel, but also sequentially mediate the relation between parental conflict and SNSs addiction. The current study contributes to better understanding how parental conflict can increase the risk of SNSs addiction, and has implications for the prevention and intervention of adolescent SNSs addiction.

The Relationship Between Attachment Style and Social Network Addiction with the Mediating Role of Personality Traits

Background: Social network sites (SNS) addiction has recently been a major concern and a common problem worldwide that makes it essential to examine the specifications of users and identify antecedents of it. Objectives: This study aimed at examining the relationship between attachment style and social media addiction with the mediating role of personality traits. Patients and Methods: In this research, the sample population was comprised of all of the students of universities in Tehran, Iran, during the academic year of 2018 - 2019. The participants (n = 241) were selected from universities in Tehran using the conventional method. The data were collected using measure of attachment qualities (MAQ), Social Media Disorder scale (SMDS), and Cloninger’s Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI), and then the data were analyzed using the chi-square, correlation coefficient, and structural modeling tests by SPSS and LISREL software. Results: The results showed there is a significant relationship between the worry-ambivalent (r = 0.308, P &lt; 0.05) and the disorganize-ambivalent (r = 0.322, P &lt; 0.05) (attachment styles) and the SNS addiction. Moreover, the structural model showed that among attachment styles, the ambivalence-disorganize attachment could mediate the social network addiction based on the character dimension of self-directedness (CFI: 0.94, NFI: 0.92, RMSEA: 0.09). Conclusions: The character dimension of self-directedness can reduce the adverse effects of insecure attachment and thus reduce the risk of addiction to SNS.