Does role conflict influence discontinuous usage intentions? Privacy concerns, social media fatigue and self-esteem

Abstract

PurposeUsing WeChat moments as an example, this article explores the impact of user role conflict on privacy concerns, social media fatigue and the three dimensions of discontinuous usage intention: control activities, short breaks and suspend usage intentions. Moreover, the moderating function of self-esteem in this process is examined.Design/methodology/approachThe conceptual model includes role conflict, privacy concerns, social media fatigue, discontinuous usage intention and self-esteem. Three hundred and thirty-one questionnaires were collected using an online survey, and the data were analyzed with structural equation and hierarchical regression modeling.FindingsThe results show that (1) role conflict positively affects privacy concerns and social media fatigue; (2) privacy concerns also positively affect social media fatigue; (3) privacy concerns positively affect control activities intentions, although their impact on short breaks and suspend usage intentions is not significant, whereas social media fatigue significantly influences control activities, short breaks and suspend usage intentions; and (4) self-esteem negatively moderates the influence of role conflict on privacy concerns.Research limitations/implicationsA key limitation of this research is that it is designed for WeChat. Therefore, the question of whether other social media platforms face role conflict or discontinuous usage problems should be explored in the future.Originality/valueThe article is interesting in that it focuses on the discontinuous usage of social media and identifies factors that contribute to the discontinuous usage of social media. The findings make some theoretical contributions to, and have practical implications for, research into social media usage.

Social media fatigue: Causes and concerns

“…Distress due to social comparison arising from low self-esteem are usually manifested in SMF (Cramer et al, 2016). Role conflict on social media platforms rooted in contradictory expectations form social circles was associated with SMF (Fan et al, 2021). While it could be because of self-disclosure that doesn’t meet the expectations of a social circle, it can also be rooted in the inability to express one’s thoughts and emotions in real life and higher privacy concerns that are directly correlated with higher SMF (Cao et al, 2019, as cited by Fan et al, 2021).…”

How social presence influences impulse buying behavior in live streaming commerce? The role of S-O-R theory

“…An online survey was conducted in China to collect data through Weijuanxing website (www.wjx.cn/), the most popular online survey site in China, with a sample database of 26 million Chinese individuals (Fan et al , 2020). We invited live streaming users to fill in questionnaire in different online communities and also sent emails to potential respondents in different mailing lists.…”

Trait Anxiety and Social Media Fatigue: Fear of Missing Out as a Mediator

“…2,7 Other variables associated with SMF that are frequently mentioned are related to difficulties in comprehending and handling privacy concerns and self-disclosure. 2,4,7,[10][11][12] Still other studies confirm that stress and personal traits 13 are important antecedents of SMF. However, fewer researchers point to anxiety 6,11 and fear of missing out (FoMO) 11,14 as important correlates or causes of SMF although such relationships seem entirely theoretically and empirically justified.…”