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Abstract: The aim of the present study was to contribute to a better understanding of the previous inconsistent findings regarding the effects of social network use on individuals' self-esteem. Therefore, we investigated the direction of the association between Facebook use and self-esteem, the potential mediation effect of perceived social support, as well as the potential moderation effect of need for affiliation. A sample of 122 university students (Mage = 20.71, 59% women) from the Republic of Moldova filled in self-assessment scales measuring intensity of Facebook use, self-esteem, perceived social support and need for affiliation. Results showed positive associations between Facebook use and need for affiliation. Self-esteem was positively associated with social support, while negatively associated with need for affiliation. Neither a significant mediation effect, nor a significant moderation effect was found. Results are discussed in terms of conceptual contribution to the field, as well as theoretical and methodological suggestions for future research.
Keywords: Facebook use, self-esteem, social support, need for affiliation
Rezumat: Scopul prezentului studiu a fost de a contribui la o mai bună înţelegere a constatărilor anterioare inconsistente cu privire la efectele utilizării reţelelor sociale asupra stimei de sine a indivizilor. Prin urmare, am investigat direcţia asocierii dintre utilizarea Facebook şi stima de sine, efectul potenţial de mediere al suportului social perceput, precum şi efectul potenţial de moderare al nevoii de afiliere. Un lot de 122 de participanţi din Republica Moldova (M = 20,71, 59% femei), studenţi, au completat scale de autoevaluare care măsoară intensitatea utilizării Facebook, stima de sine, suportul social perceput şi nevoia de afiliere. Rezultatele au arătat asocieri pozitive între utilizarea Facebook şi nevoia de afiliere. Stima de sine a fost asociată pozitiv cu sprijinul social şi asociată negativ cu nevoia de afiliere. Nu a fost găsit un efect semnificativ de mediere, nici un efect semnificativ de moderare. Rezultatele sunt discutate în termeni de contribuţie conceptuală la domeniu, precum şi cu privire la o serie de sugestii teoretice şi metodologice pentru cercetările viitoare.
Cuvinte-cheie: utilizarea Facebook, stima de sine, suport social, nevoie de afiliere
As a research area develops and matures, the aim of the literature gradually shifts from accumulating sufficient evidence for an effect towards understanding how it works, and its conditions or contingencies. This is also the case...