An investigatory study of the relationship between self-esteem, loneliness, self-efficacy, and patterns of Facebook usage
Authors
Milano, Aoife
Issue Date
2012
Degree
Higher Diploma in Arts in Psychology
Publisher
Dublin Business School
Rights holder
Rights
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Abstract
The overwhelming popularity of social networking sites, such as Facebook, Twitter and MySpace, has led to a more thorough examination of personality and individual differences in the way the sites are used. Facebook has become the leading social networking site in recent years. To date, a select few personality traits have been more widely studies than others in relation to Facebook. Narcissism and extraversion are two particular traits which have been widely studied. This study examines the relationship between self-esteem, loneliness, self-efficacy and patterns of Facebook usage in the general population. Age and gender differences were expected in relation to patterns of Facebook usage. Facebook intensity, self-efficacy, self-esteem and loneliness self-reports were collected from 96 Facebook users via an online survey. Correlation analysis revealed that the more frequently and intensely Facebook was used, the lower the self-efficacy of users. No correlation was found between patterns of Facebook usage and loneliness. Age and gender differences were found in patterns of Facebook usage. 51-55 year olds were found to use Facebook the most frequently and intensely of all age groups and females used Facebook more frequently and intensely than males. Further studies of this sort should be conducted to check for consistency in results or lack thereof. Finally, gender and age differences in the use of Facebook are two areas that warrant more thorough investigation. Author keywords: Facebook, social-networking, self-esteem, loneliness, self-efficacy