Social networking sites addiction: The moderating effect of self-regulatory focus and the mediating effect of affective state on need for belongingness online and dysfunctional social networking site use

• Main Author: Fenix, Mary Jo Jessica V.
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 2018
• Subjects: Social media addiction; Online social networks; Extraversion; Neuroticism; Belonging (Social psychology)
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_masteral/5567
• Institution: De La Salle University

It has been found that most Filipinos are active in Social networking sites (SNS), which could make them vulnerable to dysfunctional SNS use. Dysfunctional SNS use is a psychological condition wherein the user becomes heavily dependent on SNS. This study explored whether the self-regulatory focus of SNS users moderated the relationship between need for belongingness and dysfunctional SNS use. It also explored whether affective state mediated the relationship between need for belongingness and dysfunctional SNS use. Four trait variables were controlled in the study; these are extraversion, neuroticism, agreeableness, and conscientiousness. 515 participants were gathered through a combination of convenient and snowball sampling. The participants answered a series of scales that measure need for belongingness, dysfunctional SNS use, self-regulatory focus, affective state, and traits. The researcher used Preacher and Hayes analysis tool Process Macro using the bootstrapping method model number 5 to ensure the data's validity. The results show that self-regulatory focus failed to moderate need for belongingness and dysfunctional SNS use while affective state successfully mediates need for belongingness and dysfunctional SNS use. The results mean that the users affective state during or after using SNS affects the development of dysfunctional SNS use.