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Social Network Activity and Social Well-Being in Emerging Adults
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- Author / Creator
- Leonard, Gemma A
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Digital communication and social networking sites (e.g., Facebook) have become an integral part of adolescent and young adults’ daily life. The increasing presence of an online context raises concerns as to how digital communication influences our interpersonal relationships. The social well-being of adolescents is central to this issue particularly because they are the defining users of online communication platforms. Research has increasingly focused on how youth may engage social networking sites in the service of developmental needs. The current research investigated social network activity and indicators of well-being in a sample of University students who engage in Facebook use. In addition, this research has sought to extend previous research and examine the relationship between perceptions of social support across online and offline contexts. Participants reported on the types of Facebook activities they engage in, as well as their perceived levels of stress, loneliness and social support. The results suggest that the type of Facebook activity is an important factor when considering the relationship between social media use and emerging adults’ well-being. The discussion will focus on the potential positive and negative ways that emerging adults are engaging in social networking sites. The implications of this study can be used to inform future research as well as education initiatives for emerging adults.
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- Subjects / Keywords
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- Graduation date
- Fall 2015
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- Type of Item
- Thesis
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- Degree
- Master of Education
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- License
- This thesis is made available by the University of Alberta Libraries with permission of the copyright owner solely for non-commercial purposes. This thesis, or any portion thereof, may not otherwise be copied or reproduced without the written consent of the copyright owner, except to the extent permitted by Canadian copyright law.