Compulsive Facebook Use: The Effects of Self-Disclosure, Sense of Coherence, and the Preference of Social Interaction Online

Abstract

This study examined the predictors and moderating effect of problematic Facebook use. Among the predictors, preference for social interaction online was found to be a determinant of compulsive Facebook use, but not of negative outcomes. However, online self disclosure was a strong predictor of both compulsive use and negative outcomes. Sense of coherence, defined as a perceived ability to manage life stresses, had some moderating effects. When individuals perceive they are able to cope well with everyday life stresses, they tend to depend more on online social networking and have cognitive symptoms of compulsive use. It also showed an interaction effect. When Facebook users have strong preference for online interactions over offline ones and have self overconfidence on their life stress management ability, they tend to show negative behavioral outcomes of Facebook use. The preference for social interactions online may strengthen and thus lead to more dependent or compulsive Facebook use via sense of coherence. In other words, the sense of coherence plays a moderator role as a bridge between psychological antecedents and behavioral problems.