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Being in the Social

Published: 01 March 2018 Publication History

Abstract

Facebook (FB) is a social network allowing people to express their own identity. We propose that the frequency of use of FB can be explained in part by two identity processes: identity motives satisfaction (esteem, continuity, belonging and efficacy) and identity exploration. We tested the importance of these two identity processes as predictors of individual differences in FB use in two different generations (adolescents and adults) and in two different countries (Italy and Chile). A self-report questionnaire was administered in Italy and Chile. A linear regression showed that identity motives satisfaction significantly predicted FB use, whereas the path between identity exploration and FB use was non-significant. These findings were not significantly moderated by country of residence or generation. We conclude that when using FB people are entering a shared - and predefined - cultural world to which they tend to adapt. Display Omitted Facebook use relates to the satisfaction of identity motives.Exploring new identities does not account for FB use.Results are stable across cultures and generations.

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Published In

cover image Computers in Human Behavior
Computers in Human Behavior  Volume 80, Issue C
March 2018
473 pages

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Elsevier Science Publishers B. V.

Netherlands

Publication History

Published: 01 March 2018

Author Tags

  1. Age
  2. Cross-cultural
  3. Facebook
  4. Identity processes

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  • (2023)Mediation of transgender impression management between transgender privacy paradox and Trans Facebook PersonaComputers in Human Behavior10.1016/j.chb.2023.107700143:COnline publication date: 1-Jun-2023
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  • (2021)‘Unmochon’: A Tool to Combat Online Sexual Harassment over Facebook MessengerProceedings of the 2021 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems10.1145/3411764.3445154(1-18)Online publication date: 6-May-2021
  • (2019)Predictors of electronic word-of-mouth behavior on social networking sites in the United States and KoreaComputers in Human Behavior10.1016/j.chb.2018.12.02594:C(9-18)Online publication date: 1-May-2019

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