Connecting with Others: A Qualitative Study of Online Social Networking Site Usage

Autores/as

  • Patrick Wayne Powell Argosy University
  • Geneva Gray Argosy University, Atlanta
  • Mary Kate Reese Argosy University, Atlanta

Palabras clave:

Facebook, Social Networking Site, Addiction, Compulsion, Relationships, Marriage

Resumen

Individuals are being affected by social network site (SNS) usage in significant ways.  In addition, the current field of research is contradictory regarding the consequences of SNS use. The purpose of this research was to gain in-depth information of how SNS use affects the lives of heavy users. The study utilized a phenomenological research design to explore the perspectives of participants. Analyzed interviews of eight university students identified five themes: Connecting with others, feelings (emotive responses) resulting from social networking site usage, compulsive use of social networking sites, preferring to have offline relationships, and communication using social networking sites being easier than offline communication. Implications for the profession and future research are also discussed.

Biografía del autor/a

Patrick Wayne Powell, Argosy University

Assistant Professor at Argosy University in the College of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences.

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Publicado

2013-05-31

Número

Vol. 2 Núm. 1 (2013): The Practitioner Scholar

Sección

Articles

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