PREDICTING SELFIE-POSTING BEHAVIOR THROUGH SELF-ESTEEM, NARCISSISM AND EXHIBITIONISM AMONG INDIAN YOUNG YOUTH

Abstract

The phenomenon of taking and sharing selfies on social networking sites (SNSs) has become pervasive in everyday life. This empirical study was carried out to investigate significant predictors of selfie-posting behavior. A web-based survey was conducted on social media users geographically located in Lucknow (India). A total of 1073 social media users participated in the survey. Structural Equation Modelling (SEM), an interdependence technique, was employed for the measurement and the structural relationship among the latent factors. The study confirmed that self-esteem and narcissism are significant predictors of selfie-posting behavior. However, exhibitionism is not a significant predictor of selfie-posting behavior. Moreover, self–esteem is also a significant predictor of narcissism. The findings of the present study underline that Facebook (26.3) per cent was a top platform for groupies selfie posting; similarly, WhatsApp (25.8) per cent was noted as the top platform for individual selfie posting.