The mediating effect of relatedness on Facebook use and self-esteem

Abstract

Facebook, a popular social networking site, can serve as a venue for the enhancement of self-esteem. Why this happens remains unclear. Drawing from Positive Psychology and Self-Determination Theory, the present study investigated the effect of Facebook use on self-esteem as mediated by relatedness. Employing a cross-sectional non-experimental design, the mediation hypothesis was tested among 467 college students who agreed to answer the questionnaires. From the results of multiple hierarchical regressions, it was found out that Facebook use did not have a direct effect on self-esteem, but exerted a positive direct effect on relatedness. Likewise, related was positively associated with self-esteem. The mediation effect of relatedness was examined using Sobel test, and the results supported the hypothesis. Implications were discussed with emphasis on how relatedness can serve as the mechanism of Facebook use and self-esteem. Implications for future research were also discussed.