Attachment styles as predictors of Facebook‐related jealousy and surveillance in romantic relationships

Abstract

Facebook has become ubiquitous over the past 5 years, yet few studies have examined its role within romantic relationships. Two studies tested attachment anxiety and avoidance as predictors of Facebook‐related jealousy and surveillance (i.e., checking a romantic partner's Facebook page). Study 1 found that anxiety was positively associated, and avoidance negatively associated, with Facebook jealousy and surveillance. The association of anxiety with Facebook jealousy was mediated in part by lower trust. Study 2 replicated this finding, and daily diary results further showed that over a 1‐week period, anxiety was positively associated, and avoidance negatively associated, with Facebook surveillance. The association of anxiety with greater surveillance was mediated in part by daily experiences of jealousy.

Social Networking Sites Use and Psychological Attachment Need among Indonesian Young Adults Population

“…This is in line with the previous studies that were conducted in the western society (Anders & Tucker, 2000;Oldmeadow et al, 2013). Since this type of people has a negative view of themselves, which may affect their self-esteem to interact more with others, then Facebook can be a comfortable means to communicate with others (Anders & Tucker, 2000;Jenkins-Guarnieri et al, 2012;Marshall et al, 2013). The more they spend their time using Facebook, e.g., posting on one's wall or giving comments on someone's post, the more responses that would be received from others.…”

“…This has supported the previous study that avoidant attachment people were reluctant to use Facebook (Marshall et al, 2013;Oldmeadow et al, 2013). This kind of people tends to avoid using it because they do not trust others to be attached with and do not want to rely on others as well (Hazan & Shaver, (1987).…”

“…Current study that surveyed more than one hundred couples showed that anxious attachment people are more often to check their couple's Facebook page than avoidant attachment counterpart (Marshall et al, 2013). Such behaviour is mediated by a low level of trust (Marshall et al, 2013).…”

“…Such behaviour is mediated by a low level of trust (Marshall et al, 2013). Since the former group has a negative view of themselves, then, it affects the way they put trust on others.…”

“…Facebook has changed the way people communicate, build a relationship, express emotion, and do self-presentation (Marshall, Bejanyan, Di Castro, & Lee, 2013;Subrahmanyam, Reich, Waechter, & Espinoza, 2008). The current study further looked at the interaction between attachment styles of Indonesian and the way of utilizing Facebook as the most growing technological media in the world.…”