article

The Relationship between Facebook Use and Well-Being depends on Communication Type and Tie Strength

Authors:

Robert E. KrautAuthors Info & Claims

Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication, Volume 21, Issue 4

Pages 265 - 281

https://doi.org/10.1111/jcc4.12162

Published: 01 July 2016 Publication History

Abstract

An extensive literature shows that social relationships influence psychological well-being, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. We test predictions about online interactions and well-being made by theories of belongingness, relationship maintenance, relational investment, social support, and social comparison. An opt-in panel study of 1,910 Facebook users linked self-reported measures of well-being to counts of respondents' Facebook activities from server logs. Specific uses of the site were associated with improvements in well-being: Receiving targeted, composed communication from strong ties was associated with improvements in well-being while viewing friends' wide-audience broadcasts and receiving one-click feedback were not. These results suggest that people derive benefits from online communication, as long it comes from people they care about and has been tailored for them.

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cover image Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication

Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication Volume 21, Issue 4

July 2016

65 pages

EISSN:1083-6101

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John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

United States

Publication History

Published: 01 July 2016

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Cited By

Wolff GShen C(2024)Social Live-Streaming Use and Well-BeingSocial Science Computer Review10.1177/0894439323122454342:6(1338-1358)Online publication date: 1-Dec-2024
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1177/08944393231224543
Karsay KMatthes JSchmuck DEcklebe S(2023)Messaging, Posting, and BrowsingSocial Science Computer Review10.1177/0894439321105830841:4(1493-1513)Online publication date: 1-Aug-2023
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1177/08944393211058308
Zhao L(2023)The Effects of Mobile Social Media Use on Older Migrants’ Social Integration and Life SatisfactionSocial Science Computer Review10.1177/0894439321104254541:1(249-264)Online publication date: 1-Feb-2023
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