Social Networking, Perceived Loneliness and Psychosocial Well-Being in Adolescents

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1 The International Journal of Indian Psychology ISSN (e) ISSN: (p) Volume 4, Issue 3, No. 100, DIP / ISBN: April-June, 2017 Social Networking, Perceived Loneliness and Psychosocial Well-Being in Adolescents Rubab Musarrat 1 *, Afsheen Masood 2, Sumaira Rashid 3, Shama Mazahir 4 ABSTRACT In this era of information technology when internet and smart devices are everywhere and demand of connectivity for socialization is at its peak, it s quite interesting that adolescents are the significant user of these social media applications and devices. The purpose behind this extensive use of social media is may be to share their personal experience, thoughts and work with others or may be cope their feeling of being alone or for their psychological wellbeing. This paper examined this particular phenomenon of social networking, perceived loneliness and psychosocial well-being in adolescents. This is hypothesized that increased social networking use is likely to predict the perceived loneliness and psycho-social well-being in adolescents. The participants included 150 adolescents between 13 to 19 years of age, both boys and girls who were accessed from various schools and colleges of Lahore. The data collected through a selfadministered questionnaire. The data was analyzed through SPSS version Keywords: Social Networking, Loneliness and Psychosocial Well-Being, Adolescents Loneliness is a disagreeable or unpleasant feeling that occur owing to a inconsistency flanked by the preferred and attained superiority of one s social network (Peplau& Perlman, 1982), and has a deleterious consequence on a range of characteristics of emotional or psychological well-being (Heinrich & Gullone, 2006). Loneliness is particularly relevant to investigate in adolescence because one s social network changes substantially during this period (e.g., increased need for intimate peer relations; Parkhurst & Hopmeyer, 1999). The introduction of the social networking sites has increase debate on online communication whether it impact positively or negatively on perceived loneliness, social change and psychological well-being (Engelberg & Sjöberg, 2004). Two circumstances, however, influence a person s well-being being connected with 1 PhD Scholar, University of Central Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan 2 Applied Psychology, Punjab University Lahore, Pakistan 3 Institute of Applied Psychology, Kinnaird College, Lahore, Pakistan 4 Institute of Applied Psychology, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan *Responding Author Received: February 28, 2017; Revision Received: May 11, 2017; Accepted: May 30, Musarrat R, Masood A, Rashid S, Mazahir S; licensee IJIP. This is an Open Access Research distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License ( which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any Medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

2 unenthusiastic or negative emotions: these are being alone (loneliness) and social anxiety (social concern). Psychological well-being From the time of establishment human beings have been questioned the things that create happiness and what are the fundamental principles on which the happiness of people depends. Happiness or contentment is basically the understanding of one s own nature, own prospective; and, all men want to be happy in their environment. Therefore, it is the unconditional aim of all humane needs, requirements and passion; it is the main goal of human subsistence (Yıldız, 2002). Along with these definitions, psychology focuses on individual s happiness and the idea of well-being. Psychologist Martin Seligman, develop methodical leaning called as optimistic psychology, that is essentially about cheerfulness, peace, happiness, harmony and optimistic (positive) individual behaviors. Hence, optimistic psychology will provide the scientific viewpoint by setting a high standard for the limits of human or individual optimism (Goleman, 2003) and is regarding subjective life principles. That includes welfare; well-being; contentment; fulfillment from the previous happening; to be encouraged for the expectations and present happiness (pleasure). From the existing studies regarding well-being it is observed that there are a range of ideas along with the universal idea of well-being, similar to subjective well-being; psychological well-being; fulfillment; value of life and positive feeling. Significance of these concepts is not entirely equal; however they are significantly interconnected; with reference to the concepts that make them happy (Dost, 2005). Emotions are unchangeable fundamentals of an individual s assessments of emotional and psychological conditions. We have to concentrate on our emotions in order to understand our own character (Navaro, 2000). Well-being (happiness) is an approach towards existence. Well-being intends to verify aspects strengthening physical condition and alter individuals life approach in that way (Doğan, 2006). The life styles are not the destiny of an individual. Health, well-being, and life style of a human being are closely related. Waterman (1993) stated that psychological well-being is described as making attempt; individual growth; and determined to cultivate whereas subjective well-being normally depends on happiness, pleasure and comparatively lack of problem. Psychological well-being means individual s manufacture of ideas and concepts that make them feel happy (Lent,2004). In this circumstance, human being is supposed to delay his pain, he have to struggle although having psychological well-being hurts. Therefore, subjective well-being is put off things that hurt for the sake of enjoyment. The theory of psychological well-being states that person s psychological health relies on his optimistic performance in some characteristic of his life. Human beings should be positive and optimistic in their relationships, should have a strong believe in himself, should give importance to his life, should have purpose for his life and last but not the least the aptitude to create his own The International Journal of Indian Psychology, ISSN (e) ISSN: (p) 42

3 judgment (Özen, 2005). On the basis of this there is a latent tension among psychological wellbeing, growth and happiness (Ryff & Singer, 1998). Therefore, Psychological well-being acquires a significant place in character, personality and development theories both tentatively and practically. Perceived Loneliness Perlman and Peplau (1982), define loneliness as the negative emotional response to a discrepancy between the desired and achieved quality of one s social network. Definition assumes that loneliness is the outcome of inconsistency among the desired and definite level of one s relationships. Lonely individuals have smaller number friends and their friendships are lower in superiority and constancy, and they observe their associates as not very comparable to themselves (Kingery, Erdley, & Marshall, 2011). However, Perceived loneliness is a feeling of perceived emptiness or worthlessness inside an individual. Loneliness is viewed as a disagreeable, distressing experience that is surrounded in one s character and social experience (Rokach, 2012). Loneliness is connected with mental disorders it can occur any time and at any stage of life. It leads to create negative feelings and illogical thoughts. Perceived loneliness is a vital indicator of psychosocial development for adolescent. At the beginning loneliness have been recognized as a analyst of low health position afterward in life (Caspi et al., 2006; Cacioppo et al., 2002). Loneliness is basically the feelings of depression and sadness because one has no friends or company. Loneliness (Cacioppo et al., 2002) identifies key challenge for researchers in this field to recognize the positive and negative association in loneliness and use of social networking sites. From the time when the Internet was developing in the 1990s, researchers observed the association among the social networking and loneliness (Subrahmanyam & Smahel, 2011). Therefore, extensive use of social media may be to share their personal experience, thoughts and work with others or may be cope their feeling of being alone or for their psychological wellbeing. Social networking has always been considered as a remedy or a reason for raising the feeling of loneliness in adolescents around glob. Through the rising status of internet communication amongst adolescents the social networking has turn out to be the essential framework for their development. Social Networking Use Since the onset of social networking, much research has been produced in the realm of social media effects on users, specifically, user habits and behaviours when using social media and how such platforms may enhance users social well-being or reinforce undesirable behaviours (Gonzales & Hancock, 2011; Jin, 2013; Steinfield, Ellison & Lampe, 2008). For Bryer & Zavatarro (2011) Social media are technologies that facilitate social interaction, make possible collaboration, and enable deliberation across stakeholders. These technologies include blogs, wikis, media (audio, photo, video, text) sharing tools, networking platforms and virtual worlds. To enables us to explore social networking use on adolescent, this study will The International Journal of Indian Psychology, ISSN (e) ISSN: (p) 43

4 focus on perceived loneliness and psychological wellbeing of adolescent. Rideout, Foehr& Roberts (2010) found that the essential part of today s people s lives is basically the internet, as well as adolescents are amongst the internet s most devoted users.social networking has practiced a speedy growth in popularity and status since their commencement in the early 2000s (Alexa, 2011).Social networking is a platform for building social relationships. Therefore, adolescents are using social networking site to develop relationship with friends and strangers. Recent studies has investigated that adolescents make new friends through social networking and make relationships (Mesch& Talmud, 2007).Hence, an adolescent has been accepted as one of the growing population of social networking users. The increase of the social networking use has been escort by fears about its impact on the well-being along with health of adolescents. (Valkenburg & Peter, 2011) describe that prior researches reviled the Internet-related hazard for the psychological development and growth of adolescents. This study will also measure the perceived loneliness and psychosocial well-being in adolescents in connection with social networking website. Psychological Wellbeing, Loneliness and social Networking sites Many experimental studies have measured the relationship among social networking sites and the psychosocial well-being of adolescents. Concerning problems like loneliness, depression and hopelessness (Heinrich & Gullone, 2006), the observed findings are to some extent conflicting. (Whand, Lee, Chang, 2003) study reveals the finding referred to as the Internet paradox that means the Internet is a communication technology that leads to further loneliness. On the other hand, from the last 14 years, numerous findings have unsuccessful in judging a relationship among social networking use and loneliness (Kraut et al., 2002;Gross, Juvonen, & Gable, 2002). While Peter, Valkenburg, & Schouten (2005) findings highlighted those generally worried and feeling alone individuals mainly benefit from the social networking use owing to the improved control of one s online communication. Hence, there is a positive relationship involving social networking use, psychological well-being and loneliness. Huang (2010) has pended an article on the relationship between Internet use and depression, loneliness, self-esteem, and life satisfaction. Significantly, the results point out that the effect sizes were diverse. On the other hand, an analysis of mediator effects showed non-significant effect of potential moderators, as well as the type of social networking sites use, participant age and gender, Internet use assessment, and the indicator of well-being. The link between social networking sites and well-being might be physically powerful and negative between a number of adolescents, since they are exposed to the dangers and be unsuccessful to revenue from the possibility of the internet but weaker amongst others. Outcome on the Big Five personality factors hold up this statement (Van der Aa, Overbeek, Engels et al., 2009). On the other hand, personality manipulates the relationship connecting social networking sites use and perceived loneliness. The International Journal of Indian Psychology, ISSN (e) ISSN: (p) 44

5 On behalf of adolescents, the pressure of parents may be a key element in perceived loneliness. Loneliness is an obnoxious sentiment that happen due to a contradiction among the preferred and attained superiority of one s social system (Heinrich &Gullone, 2006), and have a lethal cause on a variety of phases of psychological (mental) well-being. Loneliness is mainly pertinent to explore in adolescence because one s social network changes significantly during this age and reached to its peak (Roekel, Scholte et al., 2010).Although loneliness is a problem that affects people of all ages, it is characterized by many changes in social opportunity, roles, relations, and identities which may increase the probability to practice loneliness (Rubin, Bukowski, Parker, & Bowker, 2008). Furthermore, loneliness is likely to its climax during early adolescence (Heinrich & Gullone, 2006). As in present world computer-mediated communication is gradually increasing among adolescents and children (Green et al., 2005). The rise of the social networking has been gone along with by fears concerning its impact on the physical condition and wellbeing of adolescents. This study seeks to determine the effect of social networking sites use on psychological wellbeing and perceived loneliness of adolescents. Specifically, we assess 1) To measure the positive association in loneliness and use of social networking sites in adolescence. 2) To measure the positive association in loneliness and use of social networking sites in adolescence. 3) To measure the negative association in use of social networking sites and psychosocial wellbeing in adolescence. 4) To measure the possibility if the loneliness level and psychological well-being is likely to be predicted by use of social networking sites. 5)To measure the extent of the use of internet and social as a tool to cope with the loneliness for adolescence. Hence, this study will open the door to a new horizon to work in the loneliness level and psychological wellbeing in relation with social networking sites. This study holds two models as its theoretical framework. Curran & Lennon (2011) model which illustrate how antecedent beliefs influence a user s attitude toward a social network and how that attitude influences the user s intentions to engage in different social networking behaviors. Present study put in the thoughtful of the Curran & Lennon model by investigating whether demographic variables are linked with disparities in antecedent beliefs, approach in the direction of social networks, and motives intended for deciding and using definite social networks. Rubin, A. & Windahl (1986) states that The Uses and Dependency Model suggest some fundamentals in media system like system itself, structure of society and individual differences that result in highly personal motives cause individuals to use and depend upon media. It has been established that depending upon media may also impact its consumers. Addiction and dependence upon media direct to effect in itself. Rationale of the Study Research over the past decade has inspected people s use of Internet for social purposes; but, these studies have ignored to examine the impact of social networking sites on perceived The International Journal of Indian Psychology, ISSN (e) ISSN: (p) 45

6 loneliness and psychological wellbeing. The social recompense and the rich-get-richer hypotheses are insufficient at amplification how particular persons communicate online to keep friendships. To be sure, such hypotheses do not get the fact that individuals may differ in their purpose for using the social networking sites, which are pertinent in relating its psychosocial consequences (Ruggiero, 2000; Peter, Valkenburg, & Schouten, 2005). Research therefore provided inconclusive findings regarding the social networking use, perceived loneliness and psychological well-being. The present study argues that the amount and purpose of social networking sites are shaped patterns that provide fundamental mechanisms of its uses and effects such as mechanisms need to be recognized and examined (Gross et al., 2002). Hypotheses H1: There is likely to be positive association in loneliness and use of social networking sites in adolescents. H2: There is likely to be negative association in use of social networking sites and psychosocial well-being in adolescents. H3: Loneliness level and psychological well-being is likely to be predicted by use of social networking sites in adolescents. METHODOLOGY Research Design Cross sectional research design was used to conduct this research. Sample A sample of N=150 students from public university among the n=60 males and n=90 females. Students age range between years. The characteristics of the sample are following; Table 2.1 Showing the characteristics of the sample (N=150) Characteristics f % M SD Age (years) Gender Male Female Qualification Graduate Post Graduate Undergraduate Siblings Birth order The International Journal of Indian Psychology, ISSN (e) ISSN: (p) 46

7 Characteristics f % M SD Income Family Setup Nuclear Joint Leisure Activities Reading Music Playing games Measurement Tools Demographic Sheet Demographic sheet include demographic details like age, gender, qualification, birth order and leisure time activities etc. 1. Ryff s Psychological Well-Being Scales: Ryff s psychological wellbeing scales was developed by.this scale consisted of 42 items. This scales measure the 6 dimensions of the psychological wellbeing that include autonomy, environmental mastery, personal growth, positive relations, purpose in life and self-acceptance. This scale used 6 point likert scale and items 3, 5, 10, 13,14,15,16,17,18,19, 23, 26, 27, 30, 31, 32, 34, 36, 39, and 41 are reversely scored. Cronbach alpha reliability value of this scale in present research is Ucla loneliness scale: Russell, Peplau, and Ferguson (1978) developed Ucla loneliness scale. It is a 20-item scale intended to measure one s subjective feelings of loneliness as well as feelings of social isolation or seperation. Participants rate each item as either O ( I often feel this way ),S ( I sometimes feel this way ), R ( I rarely feel this way ), N ( I never feel this way ). The measure has been revised two times since its first publication; once to create reverse scored items, and once to simplify the wording. The scale s Cronbach Alpha reliability value for this research study is Social Networking Scale: Social Networking is self-constructed scale by Mussarat and Masood (2015). This scale consists of 11 items and has used 6 point Likert scale from strongly disagree to strongly agree. Cronbach Alpha reliability value of this scale in this study is.80. Procedure Permission was taken from the author of the scales. Then in order to collect data permission was sought out from the relevant department. Then before collecting data participants were brief about the purpose of the research, voluntary participation was also ensure. Participants signed informed consent. After collecting data, it was analysis using SPSS version 20. Then result were discussed in the light of past researches and application of these result were also reported. The International Journal of Indian Psychology, ISSN (e) ISSN: (p) 47

8 Analysis Pearson Product moment Correlation was used to measure the relationship among the variables. Linear Regression Analysis was used to indicate the predicting relationship among the studies variables. RESULTS Table 3.1 Descriptive statistics and relationship analysis (N = 150) Variables k M SD Α Psychological Wellbeing Scale Loneliness Scale Social Networking Scale Table 3.2 Showing Correlation among the studied variables (N=150) Variable Age -.26** ** -.25** 2. Gender ** Birth order **.21* Psychological Wellbeing ** Perceived Loneliness Social Networking *p<.05. **p<.01. Table 3.2 showed that age is significantly negatively correlated with social networking but positively related with perceived loneliness which means as increase in age decrease in social networking but loneliness increase. It also showed significant relationship of gender and birth order with perceived loneliness. Psychological wellbeing also showed positive association with perceived loneliness. It means that increase in psychological wellbeing also indicate increase perceived loneliness. Table 3.3 Linear Regression showing predictors of social networking (N=150) Variables B 95% CI Age -2.70** (-4.42;-.99) Psychological Wellbeing (-.08;.08) Perceived Loneliness.017 (-.14;.18) R 2.06* F 3.32* R 2.06* F 3.32* Dependent variable: Social Networking; *p <.05. **p <.01. Table 3.3, shows that Overall model for social networking explained 6% of the variance in social networking, F (3,146) =6.07, p<.022 and indicated that age is the positive predictor of social The International Journal of Indian Psychology, ISSN (e) ISSN: (p) 48

9 networking. While, psychological wellbeing and perceived loneliness do not predict social networking. DISCUSSION This research aimed to investigate the relationship among psychological wellbeing, perceived loneliness and social networking among early adulthood. Results showed that age is likely to negatively predict the social networking. Cha (2010) discover the factors that influence the use of social networking Web sites. This study indicated that age is significant negative predictor of using social networking site. From the beginning, social networking sites have been accepted among young generation. Pew Internet did a national research (Madden & Zickuhr, 2011) found that over eight in ten internet users ages use social networking sites compared with seven in ten year olds, half of year olds, and one third of those age 65 and older. Likewise, Hampton et al., (2011) investigate that the young age groups made up 48% of social networking site users. Another survey conducted by Pingdom (2010) showed that people of age between 35 to 44 years are more frequent user of social media sites than any other age range. Another survey conducted by emarket (2014) showed that individuals of age 18 to 29 years 51% on average spend time on select social networking sites in US. Result also showed that positive relation among the psychological wellbeing and perceived loneliness this result is supported by the study of Kraut and Burke (2015) investigated social networking use, psychological well-being and its effect of movement and viewers that showed talking to close friends is associated to enhancements in social support, hopelessness and other measures of wellbeing but chatting to unfamiliar persons and reading associates are not. The longitudinal research done by Kraut et al. (1998) is the most dominant study in the area of psychological well-being and internet. Finding states that greater Internet use cause a little but major decline in social association and enlarge loneliness and depression. A researcher has found that use of the social networking is connected with declines in adolescents' well-being, health (Kraut et al., 1998), and with weaker social knots (Kraut et al., 1998; Sanders et al., 2000). Everyday social networking users were more expected to report lower levels of attachment to close friends (Mesch, 2001), and frequency of social networking use was negatively linked to adolescents' awareness about the quality of family associations (Mesch, 2003). Therefore, from this finding it is proved that there is a negative association in use of social networking sites and psychosocial well-being in adolescents. Hence, it is concluded that in Pakistan, use social networking site is more common among in younger ages, and also use of these sited leads to increase in perceived loneliness that is related to psychological health of individuals. So, it can be new area for mass media researchers to focus on finding ways to strength family systems that could be a source to increase individual psychological health and reduce the perceived loneliness. The International Journal of Indian Psychology, ISSN (e) ISSN: (p) 49

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