Understanding the role of social networking sites in the subjective well-being of users: a diary study

Abstract

Given the rising popularity of social networking sites (SNSs), the influence of these platforms on the subjective well-being (SWB) of their users is an emerging topic in Information Systems research. Building on the norm of reciprocity and the social functional approach to positive emotions, we posit that targeted reciprocity-evoking forms of SNS activities are best suited to promote users' positive emotions. The favorable potential of these activities is likely to be particularly pronounced among adolescents who pay special attention to social acceptance, which can be channeled with the help of reciprocal communication. Therefore, we conducted a quantitative 7-day diary study of 162 adolescent Facebook users attending German schools, looking at the impact of their daily SNS activities on their SWB. Based on a linear mixed model analysis, our results confirm a positive link between targeted reciprocity-evoking activitiessuch as chatting, giving and receiving feedbackand adolescents' positive emotions. Our findings provide a reassuring perspective on the implications of the sociotechnical design of SNS communication channels. Specifically, by encouraging targeted activities, providers, users, and other stakeholders can ensure the beneficial impact of this technology on users' SWB.

Do Social Network Sites Enhance or Undermine Subjective Well‐Being? A Critical Review

“…More recently, researchers have begun to use longitudinal designs to examine the impact of active and passive usage of social network sites on subjective well‐being. In one diary study, active Facebook use was found to be positively related to life satisfaction, whereas the opposite was observed for passive Facebook use (Wenninger, Krasnova, & Buxmann, ). However, it should be noted that in this study only Facebook usage was repeatedly assessed.…”

An exploratory investigation of online and offline social behaviour among digital natives

“…More recently, in a similar manner to Burke et al [11], Wenninger et al [47] propose that a distinction between targeted (reciprocityevoking) and non-targeted (non-reciprocity-evoking) interaction modes on SNSs is required. In focusing on a particular recipient, targeted actions (e.g., commenting, liking) are more likely to initiate a response than non-targeted actions (e.g., browsing, sharing) [6] and, as a consequence, positively effect social bonding and connectedness.…”

“…While many studies consider media use by assessing the frequency of use, a growing number of researchers have recognised the need to assess particular aspects of media use and investigate how individuals engage with SNSs [29,47].…”

“…Given indications that the mode of interaction is an important determinant of associations between use of SNSs and psycho-social well-being [4,13,47], it is evident that a typology of SNS behaviour is necessary for the present study. Consequently, it is proposed that, across the platform-specific tools and affordances, three high-level interactions emerge: producing, consuming, and reacting.…”

“…Given the centrality of UISs in life today, the need to understand digital natives' use of UISs, and indications of associations between behaviour online and behaviour offline [28,35,47], the primary objective of this study is to describe patterns of online social behaviour exhibited by digital natives (specifically university students) on two popular SNSs (Facebook and Instagram) and, on this basis, compare their online and offline social behaviour. Additionally, given associations between personality traits and behaviour online [2,23], associations between the well-established Big Five model of personality and online social behaviour are examined.…”