Socially Interactive and Passive Technologies Enhance Friendship Quality: An Investigation of the Mediating Roles of Online and Offline Self-Disclosure

Abstract

Previous studies indicate that characteristics of social-based technologies (STs) stimulate the sharing of intimate information online, which in turn enhances the quality of friendships. In addition, intimate online self-disclosure has been positively associated with offline self-disclosure. One objective of the current study was to combine the literature and test a model which postulates that STs use stimulates online self-disclosure which facilitates offline self-disclosure and, thereby, enhances the quality of close friendships. A second objective of this study was to examine if the aforementioned model applies to two categories of STs, including socially interactive technologies (SITs; e.g., instant messaging) and socially passive technologies (SPTs; e.g., reading posts on social networking sites). An online survey was conducted with 212 young adults between 18 and 25 years of age. The proposed indirect positive effects of SITs and SPTs use on the quality of friendships were supported. The positive effect of SITs use on the quality of friendships was explained entirely by the young adults' disclosure of personal information when using SITs which facilitated intimate self-disclosure during face-to-face interactions. Although there was not a direct effect of SPTs use on the quality of friendships, SPTs use was positively related to SPTs self-disclosure, which had a positive effect on offline self-disclosure. The current study enhances our understanding regarding the positive effects associated with the use of STs among close friends and identifies the contribution of online self-disclosure for offline interactions.

How online self-presentation affects well-being and body image: A systematic review

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Fear of Missing Out, Mental Wellbeing, and Social Connectedness: A Seven-Day Social Media Abstinence Trial

“…Thematic analysis findings may contribute to building a theory behind why the effect was only small sized as it revealed mixed feelings regarding perceived connectivity, where some participants felt more socially connected offline, while others expressed concerns over the loss of online SC to peers during abstinence, demonstrating individual differences in perceived SC. Perhaps those who experienced lower SC without SM used these platforms to overcompensate for perceived lack of offline connectedness, which may explain the mixed feelings in perceived connectivity as a result of abstinence [ 75 , 76 ]. Although individuals find the connectivity aspect of SM appealing [ 30 , 35 ], prior research suggests that people perceive offline connections as more important than online connections [ 38 ].…”

Associations between combined overweight and obesity, lifestyle behavioural risk and quality of life among Australian regional school children: baseline findings of the Goulburn Valley health behaviours monitoring study

“…Similar to physical activity, young people experiencing poorer psychological health may turn to internet-based services for information seeking and support, and bi-directional relationships are probable. It has also been suggested that the connection and relationship experiences on online networking may not offer equivalent protective benefits that can be achieved through face-to-face friendships and networking [56]. Given the substantial time spent using technology daily and the increasing social activities that now occur online, the health effects of screen use are of current and future public health interest.…”