Abstract
Does communication on social network sites (SNSs) or instant messengers (IMs) reinforce or displace face-to-face (FtF) communication, and how do the 3 channels affect loneliness and life satisfaction? Using cross-lagged structural equation modeling in a longitudinal and representative sample from Germany, we found that SNS communication increased both FtF and IM communication 6 months later. Likewise, IM communication at T1 increased SNS communication at T2. FtF, SNS, and IM communication did not affect loneliness, and FtF and IM communication did not change life satisfaction. However, communication on SNSs slightly increased life satisfaction. Thus, the data indicated that conversing via SNSs and IM has a mainly reinforcing effect and that communicating via SNSs can enhance life satisfaction several months later.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 71-87 |
Number of pages | 17 |
Journal | Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication |
Volume | 22 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 Mar 2017 |
Externally published | Yes |
Funding
This research was funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) Grant 16KIS0094 to Sabine Trepte.
Funders | Funder number |
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Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung | 16KIS0094 |
Keywords
- Face-to-Face
- Instant Messenger
- Life Satisfaction
- Loneliness
- SEM
- Social Network Site