Abstract ▼ AI-Helper

As an empirical study on the psychological side effects of using Social Networking Services (SNS), this study aims to identify the reality of negative emotion of using SNS and to predict its consequences. To this end, a measurement tool was developed through literature review, in-depth interview wit...

As an empirical study on the psychological side effects of using Social Networking Services (SNS), this study aims to identify the reality of negative emotion of using SNS and to predict its consequences. To this end, a measurement tool was developed through literature review, in-depth interview with users and expert review to induce negative emotional factors that can arise while using SNS. An exploratory factor analysis was performed for a total of 24 measurement items, which then were divided into the following 6 factors: 'concern over privacy,' 'burden from undesired connection,' 'relative deprivation,' 'a sense of alienation,' 'concern over reputation' and 'negative feeling about simple relationship.' Also, the relationship between the 6 negative emotional factors and psychological dissonance was analyzed. The results indicate that all the factors, except relative deprivation and a sense of alienation, affect psychological dissonance. It was also found that psychological dissonance, which implies a conflicting condition from using SNS, significantly affects the behavior that possibly reduces and limits the use of SNS. In other words, the users who have experienced psychological dissonance respond passively by avoiding the use of SNS to resolve the dissonance. The results of this study provide the base for explaining the psychological side effects of using SNS, which have been understood at a phenomenal level, such as 'Facebook depression' or 'SNS stress.' In addition, this study is of significance as it helps understand the psychological mechanism by identifying the relationship between negative emotion and use behavior with the theory of cognitive dissonance.

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