As communicative services are the Internet applications most used by both adolescents and university students (Kuss & Griffiths, 2011), recent research has focused on that form of Internet problematic use specifically associated with the use of social networking sites (SNS), named SNS addiction. Concerning the etiological framework, it has been claimed that problematic use of SNS might derive from the perceived deficiency of social skills in face-to-face relationships and preliminary findings indicated an association with social interaction anxiety (Casale & Fioravanti, 2015). The current study investigates the main and indirect effects of shame experiences and perceived benefits of computer-mediated communication (CMC) compared with face-to-face communication, on SNS addiction. In particular, a model in which perceived benefits of CMC (i.e. escapism, control over self-presentation, and approval/acceptance) mediate the association between shame and SNS problematic use was tested. 590 undergraduate students (mean age = 22.29 + 2.079; F = 53.2%) were recruited. The assessed structural model produced adequate fit to the data (χ2 = 352.99; df = 92; p <.001; RMSEA [90% CI] =.07 [.06-.08]; CFI = .97; SRMR =.06). Variables accounted for 50% of the variance in SNS addiction. A partial mediation model in which shame predicted SNS addiction levels through the perceived benefits of CMC was found. A direct relationship between shame and problematic SNS use was also detected. The current study highlights how feelings of shame can contribute to problematic use of SNS and emphasizes the necessity of taking into account the perceived benefits of CMC when exploring psychological risk factors for SNS addiction. CMC allowed people who struggle with feelings of shame to escape from negative emotions, to hide their supposedly negative attributes and to reduce the possibility to be rejected. For this reason, shame might be a specific risk factor in developing addiction to SNS.
Shame experiences and Social networking addiction: an unexplored association / Giulia, Fioravanti. - In: MEDITERRANEAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY. - ISSN 2282-1619. - ELETTRONICO. - (2016), pp. 42-44. (Intervento presentato al convegno XVIII Congresso Nazionale della Sezione di Psicologia Clinica e Dinamica dell'Associazione Italiana di Psicologia).
Shame experiences and Social networking addiction: an unexplored association.
FIORAVANTI, GIULIA
2016
Abstract
As communicative services are the Internet applications most used by both adolescents and university students (Kuss & Griffiths, 2011), recent research has focused on that form of Internet problematic use specifically associated with the use of social networking sites (SNS), named SNS addiction. Concerning the etiological framework, it has been claimed that problematic use of SNS might derive from the perceived deficiency of social skills in face-to-face relationships and preliminary findings indicated an association with social interaction anxiety (Casale & Fioravanti, 2015). The current study investigates the main and indirect effects of shame experiences and perceived benefits of computer-mediated communication (CMC) compared with face-to-face communication, on SNS addiction. In particular, a model in which perceived benefits of CMC (i.e. escapism, control over self-presentation, and approval/acceptance) mediate the association between shame and SNS problematic use was tested. 590 undergraduate students (mean age = 22.29 + 2.079; F = 53.2%) were recruited. The assessed structural model produced adequate fit to the data (χ2 = 352.99; df = 92; p <.001; RMSEA [90% CI] =.07 [.06-.08]; CFI = .97; SRMR =.06). Variables accounted for 50% of the variance in SNS addiction. A partial mediation model in which shame predicted SNS addiction levels through the perceived benefits of CMC was found. A direct relationship between shame and problematic SNS use was also detected. The current study highlights how feelings of shame can contribute to problematic use of SNS and emphasizes the necessity of taking into account the perceived benefits of CMC when exploring psychological risk factors for SNS addiction. CMC allowed people who struggle with feelings of shame to escape from negative emotions, to hide their supposedly negative attributes and to reduce the possibility to be rejected. For this reason, shame might be a specific risk factor in developing addiction to SNS.
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