Adolescents' real-time social and affective experiences of online and face-to-face interactions. (April 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Achterhof, Robin; Kirtley, Olivia J.; Schneider, Maude; Hagemann, Noëmi; Hermans, Karlijn S.F.M.; Hiekkaranta, Anu P.; Lecei, Aleksandra; Lafit, Ginette; Myin-Germeys, Inez
• Is Part Of: Computers in human behavior. Volume 129(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-04
• Subjects: Experience sampling -- Digital communication -- Adolescence -- Daily life -- Well-being; Interactive computer systems -- Periodicals; Man-machine systems -- Periodicals; 004.019
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chb.2021.107159
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0747-5632

Abstract

Abstract: Much disagreement exists surrounding the relationship between digital communication and adolescent well-being. Micro-level insight into the direct effect of online interaction on affective experiences in daily life is crucial to advancing this discussion. In this registered study, we used experience sampling in 1705 general-population adolescents ( n = 43.226 total observations) to examine different emotional and social experiences, at the moment they engage in online and face-to-face social interactions. Adolescents reported significantly less positive affect when alone compared to when interacting online ( B ( SE ) = -0.15 (0.04), p = .001), but significantly more positive affect ( B ( SE ) = 0.12 (0.04), p < .001) and less negative affect ( B ( SE ) = -0.12 (0.03), p < .001) and loneliness ( B ( SE ) = -0.65 (0.05), p < .001) when interacting face-to-face compared to online. Exploratory moderator analyses do not support the hypothesis that those with more social support experience greater benefits from online interaction. This study uniquely highlights both the momentary affective benefits and potential disadvantages of online interaction, thereby bringing clarification and nuance to this highly contentious topic. Highlights: The relationship between digital communication and adolescent well-being is little investigated at the momentary level. We investigated how adolescents feel at the moment that they interact online vs. face-to-face, vs. when they are alone. Adolescents felt best when interacting face-to-face, and better when interacting online than when alone. Adolescents reported more positive social experiences when with online interaction partners than with face-to-face partners. Those with more social resources did not experience a greater benefit of digital communication .