Objective Facebook behaviour: Differences between problematic and non-problematic users. (August 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Marino, Claudia; Finos, Livio; Vieno, Alessio; Lenzi, Michela; Spada, Marcantonio M.
• Is Part Of: Computers in human behavior. Volume 73(2017)
• Page Start: 541
• Page End: 546
• Publication Date: 2017-08
• Subjects: Objective Facebook behaviour -- Problematic Facebook use -- Young adults; Interactive computer systems -- Periodicals; Man-machine systems -- Periodicals; 004.019
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chb.2017.04.015
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0747-5632

Abstract

Abstract: The aim of the study was to test whether, and how much, specific objective Facebook behaviours are more frequent in problematic than non-problematic Facebook users. Differences between problematic and non-problematic Facebook users in objective Facebook behaviours were examined using frequentist and Bayesian t- tests. Participants were undergraduate students (n = 297, 80.8% female, age mean = 21.05, standard deviation = 1.88). Problematic Facebook use was assessed using fifteen items adapted from the scale developed and validated for the measurement of Generalized Problematic Internet Use. A specific R package was developed to obtain information about objective Facebook behaviours (friendship activities, events, wall activities, and text messages). T -tests indicated that non-problematic and problematic users significantly differ in several objective Facebook behaviours. Bayesian analyses confirmed t- test results and supported that Problematic users scored higher than non-problematic users in several dependent variables, such as number of friendships established, number of events attended, all wall activities (e.g. number of "like"), and private messages sent. The analysis of data about objective Facebook behaviours goes beyond the self-reported information about such activities, and helps to understand the role of its potentially addictive activities in predicting PFU. Highlights: Objective Facebook behaviours were used overcoming self-report measures. The relation between objective data and problematic Facebook use was showed. Problematic Facebook users scored higher than non-problematic in several activities. All wall activities and private messages were more frequent in problematic users. Objective Facebook behaviours should be considered in tackling PFU.