How use of smartphone news applications relates to optimism, life engagement and worry

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Authors
McParland, Aideen
Issue Date
2017
Degree
Higher Diploma in Arts in Psychology
Publisher
Dublin Business School
Rights
Items in Esource are protected by copyright. Previously published items are made available in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher/copyright holder.
Abstract
The aim of this mixed method study was to explore the relationship between mobile phone news application usage and the trait variables of optimism/pessimism, life engagement and worry. Incorporating correlational and cross-sectional hypotheses, an online survey was open to any adults who owned a smartphone. A hundred and thirty-five people responded via social networking sites. There were no significant findings in relation to optimism/pessimism and worry, indicating a lack of synchrony between this type of news exposure and these particular personality features. There was a significant difference on the level of life engagement between 2 groups. The group with mobile phone news apps installed (60% of the sample) had a higher average score of life engagement than the group with no news apps installed. This and other findings in relation to news consumption habits could have interesting implications for research in the areas of news media and individual difference.
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