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TAYLOR COMMENT THESIS FINAL.pdf (422.75 KB)

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The Impact of Social Media Use on Loneliness through an Interpersonal-Connection-Behavior Framework

Comment, Taylor Dee
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1717159078085721

Abstract Details

2024, MA, Kent State University, College of Arts and Sciences / Department of Sociology and Criminology.
Globally, loneliness is rising at the same time that social media usage (SMU) (e.g., Facebook, Instagram, TikTok) is increasing. However, drawing conclusions about the impact of SMU on loneliness has been difficult due to: 1) a lack of focus on loneliness outcomes (as opposed to general well-being outcomes), 2) an overreliance on simplistic, time-based measurements, and 3) the lack of a single theoretical perspective that can make sense of contradictory findings from the literature. The current research aims to fill in these gaps by using loneliness as an outcome measure and measures that capture time usage, type of use, purpose of use, and online network familiarity, in conjunction with the interpersonal-connection-behaviors (ICB) framework proposed by Clark et al. (2018). The ICB framework suggests that when SMU is focused on promoting connection, it is linked with positive outcomes, but that when SMU is not focused on promoting connection, it is linked to negative outcomes. Using this theoretical approach, I will further our understanding of how SMU impacts loneliness using Facebook usage data of young adults living in Bangladesh in 2021. Since the majority of studies looking at the impact of SMU on mental health have been done on western populations (U.S and Europe), this research will help to further our understanding of how SMU may be impacting loneliness in a non-western context, allowing for comparison across different cultural environments. By better understanding which online behaviors are more likely to lead to connection as opposed to loneliness, this research could potentially help users maximize the benefits of social media and help to avoid its pitfalls.
Susan Fisk (Advisor)
Josh Pollock (Committee Member)
Kristen Marcussen (Committee Member)
49 p.
Psychology; Sociology
social media use; loneliness

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Comment, T. D. (2024). The Impact of Social Media Use on Loneliness through an Interpersonal-Connection-Behavior Framework [Master's thesis, Kent State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1717159078085721

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Comment, Taylor. The Impact of Social Media Use on Loneliness through an Interpersonal-Connection-Behavior Framework . 2024. Kent State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1717159078085721.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Comment, Taylor. "The Impact of Social Media Use on Loneliness through an Interpersonal-Connection-Behavior Framework ." Master's thesis, Kent State University, 2024. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1717159078085721

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

kent1717159078085721
439
© 2024, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Kent State University and OhioLINK.