Psychological Reports: Mental & Physical Health 2013, 113, 3, 948-953. © Psychological Reports 2013

MEDIATING EFFECT OF FACEBOOK® ADDICTION ON THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SUBJECTIVE VITALITY AND SUBJECTIVE HAPPINESS1 RECEP UYSAL Psychological Counselor SEYDİ AHMET SATICI

AHMET AKIN

Psychological Counseling Department Anadolu University

Psychological Counseling Department Sakarya University

Summary.—This study examined the mediating effects of Facebook® addiction on the relationship between subjective vitality and subjective happiness. 297 university students (157 women, 140 men; M age = 20.1 yr., SD = 1.3) were administered the Facebook® Addiction Scale, the Subjective Vitality Scale, and the Subjective Happiness Scale. Hierarchical regression analysis showed that Facebook® addiction partially mediated the relationship between subjective vitality and subjective happiness.

Psychologists and educators are concerned about the potential negative effects of misuse or overuse of Facebook® and the related psychological, social, and physical problems (Andreassen, Torsheim, Brunborg, & Pallesen, 2012). Young users may develop a range of social, psychological, physical, and other problems (Blaszczynski, 2006); problematic use of Internet-based social networking sites like Facebook® may be a significant factor influencing subjective happiness (Diener, Suh, Lucas, & Smith, 1999, p. 277). Subjective vitality is an aspect of eudaimonic and physical well-being (Salama-Younes, 2011), can be defined as the subjective experience of being full of energy and alive, and potentially represents a significant predictor of subjective happiness (Ryan & Frederick, 1997; Akin, 2012). Facebook® addiction can be described as being unable to control and limit the amount of time one spends on activities on Facebook® (Lee, Cheung, & Tadani, 2012). Studies on the use of Facebook® have shown a positive, apparently robust correlation with narcissism (r = .46; Mehdizadeh, 2010), and weak correlations with feelings of loneliness (r = .15; Ryan & Xenos, 2011), neuroticism (r = .25), extraversion (r = .23), delayed bedtimes (Andreassen, et al., 2012), self-esteem (r = –.26), emotional adjustment (r = –.35), and academic adjustment (r = –.27; Kalpidou, Costin, & Morris, 2011). Koç and Gülyağci (2013) reported that severe depression 1 Address correspondence to Seydi Ahmet Satici, Graduate School of Education Science, Anadolu University, Yunusemre Campus, 26470, Eskisehir, Turkey or e-mail (sasatici@anadolu. edu.tr).

DOI 10.2466/02.09.18.PR0.113x32z3

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ISSN 0033-2941

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(r = .28), social dysfunction (r = .23), anxiety, and insomnia (r = .23) were positive predictors of Facebook® addiction. Research examining the complex relationships between well-being and heavier use of online social network services like Facebook® is scarce. Given the reciprocal relationships between Facebook® addiction and maladaptive constructs, Facebook® addiction may have a negative effect on subjective happiness and subjective vitality. Hypothesis. The relationship between subjective happiness and subjective vitality is mediated by Facebook® addiction. METHOD Participants A convenience sample of 297 undergraduate students (53% women, 47% men) from a variety of departments at Sakarya University in Turkey volunteered. Of the participants, 74 (25%) were freshmen, 83 (28%) were sophomores, 66 (22%) were juniors, and 74 (25%) were seniors. Their ages ranged from 18 to 25 years (M = 20.1, SD = 1.3). Measures The Bergen Facebook® Addiction Scale (BFAS; Andreassen, et al., 2012) was used to measure Facebook® addiction. It comprises 18 items (e.g., “Used Facebook to reduce feelings of guilt, anxiety, helplessness, and depression”) rated on a 5-point Likert scale (1 = very rarely, 5 = very often). The total score can range from 18 to 90. Higher scores indicate greater Facebook® addiction. The Cronbach’s α coefficient of the original BFAS was .83 and test-retest reliability coefficient was .82. A Turkish adaptation of this scale was conducted by Akin, Demirci, Akin, Ocakçi, Akdeniz, and Akbaş (2013) (see Appendix). Results obtained from the confirmatory factor analyses demonstrated that the model fit data acceptably (x2/df = 2.47, CFI = 0.95, GFI = 0.92, IFI = 0.95, RMSEA = 0.061, and SRMR = 0.040). Cronbach's α coefficient of the Turkish form was .93. Subjective vitality was measured with the Subjective Vitality Scale (Ryan & Frederick, 1997). It consists of 7 items (e.g., “I nearly always feel awake and alert”) rated on a 7-point scale (1 = not true at all, 7 = very true). The total score can range from 7 to 49; a higher score indicates more subjective vitality. The internal consistency coefficient of the original form was .84. This scale had been adapted to Turkish by Akin, Satici, Arslan, Akin, and Kayis (2012). The results of confirmatory factor analysis indicated that the model was well fit (NFI = 0.99, CFI = 1.00, GFI = 0.99, RMSEA = 0.047, and AGFI = 0.96). The Cronbach’s α of the Turkish form was .84.

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Subjective happiness was measured with the Subjective Happiness Scale (Lyubomirsky & Lepper, 1999). It has 4 items (e.g., “I think I am a happy person”) rated on a 7-point scale (1: Strongly disagree, 7: Strongly agree). The total score can range from 4 to 28, where a higher score indicates a higher subjective happiness. The internal consistency coefficient of the original form ranged from .79 to .94 for different samples. This scale had been adapted to Turkish by Akin and Satici (2011) and the Turkish version was used in this study. Results of confirmatory factor analysis indicated that the model fit the data well (NFI = 0.99, CFI = 1.00, GFI = 1.00, AGFI = 0.99, RMSEA = 0.000, and SRMR = 0.015). The internal consistency reliability coefficient of the scale was .86 and the test-retest reliability coefficient was .73. Procedure and Data Analysis Permission for participation of students was obtained from related department heads. Student participation was voluntary and confidential. Researchers administered the self-report measures in a counterbalanced order. The questionnaires were delivered in a classroom. All participants were informed about purposes of the study before completing of measures. It took approximately 25 min. to complete the instruments. In order to test the mediating effect of Facebook® addiction on the relationships between subjective vitality and subjective happiness, hierarchical regression procedures were performed as recommended by Baron and Kenny (1986). RESULTS AND DISCUSSION The internal consistency reliabilities (Cronbach’s α coefficients) in the present study were α = .88, .89, and .73 for the Facebook® addiction, subjective vitality, and subjective happiness scales, respectively. Table 1 shows the zero-order correlations among variables. Following the steps of the mediation analysis procedure, firstly it was verified that Facebook® addiction was a negative predictor of subjective vitality (β = –0.38, t = –7.09, p = 9.8e–12). Then, it was verified that Facebook® addiction was a negative predictor of subjective happiness (β = –0.38, t = –6.99, p = 1.8e–11). The results of the hierarchical regression analysis demonstrated that subTABLE 1 ZERO-ORDER CORRELATIONS AMONG FACEBOOK ADDICTION, SUBJECTIVE VITALITY, AND SUBJECTIVE HAPPINESS Scale

1

2

1. Facebook addiction

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2. Subjective vitality

−.38

3. Subjective happiness

−.37

.48

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951

VITALITY, HAPPINESS, FACEBOOK TABLE 2 MEDIATION OF FACEBOOK ADDICTION IN RELATION BETWEEN SUBJECTIVE VITALITY AND SUBJECTIVE HAPPINESS: HIERARCHICAL REGRESSION ANALYSIS WITH DEPENDENT VARIABLE SUBJECTIVE HAPPINESS Variable

SE β

β

t

0.21

0.022

0.48

9.48

< .001

0.02

0.024

0.39

7.40

< .001

B

p

Step 1 Subjective vitality Step 2 Subjective vitality

Facebook addiction −0.10 0.024 −0.23 −4.20 < .001 Note.—R2 = .23, Adj R2 = .23 (p < .05) for Step 1; R2 = .28, ΔR2 = .04, Adj R2 = .27 (p < .05) for Step 2.

jective vitality was positively associated with subjective happiness (β = 0.48, t = 9.48, p = 8.8e–19). When Facebook® addiction and subjective vitality were included together in the regression analysis, the relationship between subjective vitality and subjective happiness decreased, yet it remained statistically significant (β = 0.39, t = 7.403, p = 1.4e–12). These results indicate that Facebook® addiction can partially explain the relationship between subjective vitality and subjective happiness. Results are presented in Table 2. In the present study, the Sobel Z test verified value was Z = –4.94 (p = 3.9e–8). Although previous studies have suggested that Internet addiction may affect well-being, subjective happiness, and vitality (Akin, 2012; Andreassen, et al., 2012), the literature is unclear about how Facebook® addiction decreases subjective happiness and vitality. Facebook® addiction may have a mediating role in the relationship between subjective happiness and subjective vitality (Cohen's f 2 = .37). Facebook® addiction did not make the relation between subjective happiness and subjective vitality stronger or weaker; on the other hand, findings showed that Facebook® addiction was related negatively to subjective happiness and subjective vitality. This study has some limitations. Firstly, the study group was composed of adolescents living in one city in Turkey, which limits the generalizability of the study findings. Secondly, the study is designed as a cross-sectional structure. Therefore, no cause-affect relation between the variables can be mentioned for the study. Thirdly, the data reported here for Facebook® addiction, subjective happiness, and subjective vitality are all self-reports. REFERENCES

AKIN, A. (2012) The relationships between internet addiction, subjective vitality, and subjective happiness. CyberPsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, 15(8), 404410. DOI: 10.1089/cyber.2011.0609 AKIN, A., DEMIRCI, İ., AKIN, Ü., OCAKÇI, H., AKDENIZ, C., & AKBAŞ, Z. Ş. (2013) Turkish version of the Facebook Addiction Scale. Paper presented at the 13th European Congress of Psychology (ECP 2013), Stockholm, Sweden, July 9-12.

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AKIN, A., & SATICI, S. A. (2011) Subjective Happiness Scale: a study of validity and reliability. Sakarya University Journal of Education Faculty, 21, 65-77. AKIN, A., SATICI, S. A., ARSLAN, S., AKIN, Ü., & KAYIS, A. R. (2012) The validity and the reliability of the Turkish version of the Subjective Vitality Scale (SVS). Paper presented at the 4th World Conference on Educational Sciences, Barcelona, Spain, February 2-5. ANDREASSEN, C. S., TORSHEIM, T., BRUNBORG, G. S., & PALLESEN, S. (2012) Development of a Facebook Addiction Scale. Psychological Reports, 110(2), 501-517. DOI: 10.2466/02.09.18.PR0.110.2.501-517 BARON, R. M., & KENNY, D. A. (1986) Moderator-mediator variables distinction in social psychological research: conceptual, strategic, and statistical considerations. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 51(6), 1173-1182. DOI: 10.1037/0022-3514.51.6.1173 BLASZCZYNSKI, A. (2006) Internet use: in search of an addiction. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, 4, 1-3. DOI: 10.1007/s11469-006-9002-3 DIENER, E., SUH, M., LUCAS, E., & SMITH, H. (1999) Subjective well-being: three decades of progress. Psychological Bulletin, 125(2), 276-302. DOI: 10.1037//0033-2909.125. 2.276 KALPIDOU, M., COSTIN, D., & MORRIS, J. (2011) The relationship between Facebook and the well-being of undergraduate college students. CyberPsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, 14(4), 183-189. DOI: 10.1089/cyber.2010.0061 KOÇ, M., & GÜLYAĞCI, S. (2013) Facebook addiction among Turkish college students: the role of psychological health, demographic, and usage characteristics. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, 16(4), 279-284. DOI: 10.1089/cyber.2012.0249 LEE, W. Z. Y., CHEUNG, C. M. K., & TADANI, D. R. (2012) An investigation into the problematic use of Facebook. Paper presented at the 45th Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences, Maui, HI, January 4-7. LYUBOMIRSKY, S., & LEPPER, H. (1999) A measure of subjective happiness: preliminary reliability and construct validation. Social Indicators Research, 46, 137-155. DOI: 10.1023/A:1006824100041 MEHDIZADEH, S. (2010) Self-presentation 2.0: narcissism and self-esteem on Facebook. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, 13, 357-364. DOI: 10.1089/cpb. 2009.0257 RYAN, R. M., & FREDERICK, C. (1997) On energy, personality and health: subjective vitality as a dynamic reflection of well-being. Journal of Personality, 65, 529-565. DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-6494.1997.tb00326.x RYAN, T., & XENOS, S. (2011) Who uses Facebook? An investigation into the relationship between the Big Five, shyness, narcissism, loneliness and Facebook usage. Computers in Human Behavior, 27, 1658-1664. DOI: 10.1016/j.chb.2011.02.004 SALAMA-YOUNES, M. (2011) Positive mental health, subjective vitality and satisfaction with life for French physical education students. World Journal of Sport Sciences, 4(2), 90-97. Accepted November 22, 2013.

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APPENDIX

TURKISH ITEMS FOR TRANSLATIONS OF THREE QUESTIONNAIRES Scale/ Item

Turkish Translation Used in This Study

Bergen Facebook Addiction Scale / Bergen Facebook Bağimliliği Ölçeği 1.

Facebook'u ya da Facebook kullanmayi planlamayi düşünmek için çok zaman harcadim.

2.

Facebook kullanmak için nasil daha çok boş zamanim olur diye düşündüm.

3.

Facebook'ta yakin zamanda neler olduğunu çok fazla düşündüm.

4.

Başlangiçta amaçladiğimdan çok daha fazla süreyi Facebook'ta harcadim.

5.

Facebook'u hep daha da fazla kullanma zorunluluğu hissettim.

6.

Ondan ayni zevki almak için Facebook'u hep daha da fazla kullanma zorunluluğunu kendimde hissettim.

7.

Facebook'u kişisel sorunlarimi unutmak için kullandim.

8.

Suçluluk, kaygi, zayiflik, çaresizlik ve bunalim duygularimi azaltmak için Facebook'u kullandim.

9.

Facebook'u huzursuzluğumu azaltmak için kullandim.

10.

İnsanlar hep Facebook kullanmami azaltmami söyledi; ama ben onlari dinlemedim.

11.

Başarisizlikla sonuçlanan Facebook kullanimimi kesme denemelerim oldu.

12.

Facebook'u daha az siklikla kullanmaya karar verdim; ama başaramadim.

13.

Facebook kullanmam yasaklansaydi, rahatsiz ve sikintili olurdum.

14.

Facebook kullanmam yasaklansaydi; sinirli olurdum.

15.

Farkli sebeplerden dolayi uzun süre Facebook'a giremeseydim; kendimi kötü hissederdim.

16.

Çok fazla Facebook kullanmam derslerimi ve çalişmalarimi olumsuz etkiledi.

17.

Hobilerime, boş zaman etkinliklerime ve antrenmanlarima Facebook yüzünden daha az öncelik verdim.

18.

Facebook'tan dolayi eşimi, aile üyelerimi ve arkadaşlarimi ihmal ettim.

Subjective Vitality / Öznel Zindelik Ölçeği 1.

Kendimi canli ve zinde hissederim.

2.

Kendimi çok enerjik hissetmem.

3.

Bazen kendimi bomba gibi zinde ve canli hissediyorum.

4.

Enerjik ve canli biriyim.

5.

Her yeni günü dört gözle bekliyorum.

6.

Neredeyse daima uyanik ve tetikteyim.

7.

Kendimi enerji dolu hissederim.

Subjective Happiness / Öznel Mutluluk Ölçeği 1.

Genellikle …

2.

Çoğu arkadaşima göre …

3.

Bazi insanlar genellikle çok mutludur. Ne olup bittiğiyle ilgilenmeksizin yaşamdan zevk alirlar. Bu durum sizin için ne kadar geçerlidir?

4.

Bazi insanlar genellikle çok mutlu değildir. Depresif olmamalarina rağmen asla gerçekte olduklari kadar mutlu görünmezler. Bu durum sizin için ne kadar geçerlidir?

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Mediating effect of Facebook addiction on the relationship between subjective vitality and subjective happiness.

This study examined the mediating effects of Facebook addiction on the relationship between subjective vitality and subjective happiness. 297 universi...
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