"Feed" or "Unfeed"?: The Role of Social Networking Sites Use in the Link Between Identity Commitment Development and Psychological Functioning in Emerging Adulthood
Ágata Salvador, Gabriela Fonseca, L. Costa, S. Mansuklal
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Abstract: This study aimed to explore the moderating role of social networking sites (SNS) use in the link between identity commitment development and psychological functioning in a sample of Portuguese emerging adults. Cross-sectional survey data were collected from 251 participants (71.3% women), aged 18–30 years ( M = 22.33, SD = 3.31). Self-report questionnaires were used to measure identity commitment-making (commitment-making and identification with commitment), SNS use (perception of feed refresh frequency), and psychological functioning (anxiety and depressive symptoms). Results showed that feed refresh frequency acts as a moderator with a distinct role in the associations between each identity commitment dimension and psychological functioning. Specifically, with the increased frequency of feed refresh, the relation between commitment-making and psychological symptoms becomes negative (for those who refresh feed more frequently, the presence of commitments was associated with lower levels of anxiety and depressive symptoms). On the other hand, the negative relation between identification with commitment and psychological symptoms becomes weaker with an increase in the frequency of feed refresh (for those who refresh feed more frequently, identifying with and embracing the commitments they already made was not associated with psychological symptoms). Overall, our results suggest that refreshing the SNS feed seems to boost the effect of commitment-making in psychological functioning and simultaneously hinder the effect of identification with commitment on psychological functioning. Ultimately, this study calls for further research on emerging adults’ identity development in the digital age, which can inform prevention/intervention actions for promoting youth media literacy and psychological adjustment.
期刊介绍:
Journal of Media Psychology (JMP) is committed to publishing original, high-quality papers which cover the broad range of media psychological research. This peer-reviewed journal focuses on how human beings select, use, and experience various media as well as how media (use) can affect their cognitions, emotions, and behaviors. Submissions must substantially advance the current state-of the art on a theoretical and/or an empirical level. To name just a few typical fields and domains of inquiry, the Journal of Media Psychology considers manuscripts dealing with research on entertainment, computer-mediated communication (including social media), human-computer interaction, e-learning, computer and video games, virtual environments, or advertising. The journal is also open to research from neighboring disciplines as far as this work ties in with psychological concepts of the uses and effects of the media. Submissions of comparative work, e.g., crossmedia, cross-gender, or cross-cultural, are encouraged. Moreover, submissions including alternative analysis procedures such as the Bayesian approach are welcome. Starting in 2015, the pre-registration of research plans will also be possible. To ensure short turn-around cycles for manuscript review and fast publication, the Journal of Media Psychology relies heavily upon electronic communication and information exchange, starting from electronic submission and continuing throughout the entire review and production process.