title: A two-process view of Facebook use and relatedness need-satisfaction: disconnection drives use, and connection rewards it.
abstract: Does using Facebook help people to meet their relatedness needs? Study 1 shows that more frequent Facebook usage paradoxically correlates with more relatedness satisfaction (connection) and more relatedness dissatisfaction (disconnection). Study 2 supports a 2-process explanation of this finding, showing that disconnection motivates greater usage as a coping strategy, whereas connection results from greater usage. Study 3 examines the effects of depriving participants of Facebook use for 48 hr. Further supporting the 2-process view, connection decreased, but disconnection was unaffected during the deprivation period; however, those who became more disconnected during the deprivation period engaged in more Facebook use during a 2nd, unconstrained 48-hr period, whereas changes in connection did not predict later use. In Study 4, participants set a Facebook reduction goal; initial disconnection interfered with and predicted worse performance in this goal. Implications for theories of psychological needs, behavioral motives, and adaptive coping are considered.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA. sheldonk@missouri.edu
authors.forename: Kennon M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Sheldon
authors.forename: Neetu
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Abad
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hinsch
mesh_terms: D003142:Communication; D005260:Female; D033062:Friends / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation / Q000502:physiology; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D012201:Reward; D012649:Self Concept; D012919:Social Behavior; D012928:Social Desirability; D012944:Social Support; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology