Antecedents influencing SNS addiction and exhaustion (fatigue syndrome): focusing on six countries

Abstract

This study empirically analyzed how ‘SNS-perceived playfulness, tendency of self-display, and information sharing’ affect ‘SNS addiction and exhaustion’ based on four major base theories, i.e. uses and gratifications, motivation, self-control, and motivational balancing theories. Furthermore, this study comparatively analyzed the influences of nationality on SNS addiction and exhaustion (fatigue syndrome) in six countries. The sample comprised a total of 1,198 people from six countries. Three statistics programmes (SmartPLS, GSCA Pro, and JASP) were used to approve the research hypotheses. (1) The SNS tendency of self-display and SNS information sharing had a positive effect on SNS addiction. (2) SNS perceived playfulness had a negative effect on SNS exhaustion, and SNS tendency of self-display had a positive effect. (3) SNS addiction had a positive effect on SNS exhaustion. (4) In the comparative country analysis, SNS tendency of self-display was the most influential factor on SNS addiction and exhaustion. SNS are highly convenient and practical, provide users with sensational entertainment, and enable exhibitionism (e.g. self-display, information sharing), thus potentially leading to SNS addiction, which in turn results in SNS exhaustion. Therefore, it identifies the appropriate antecedents, identifies country-specific differences, and proposes practical guidelines for users to prevent SNS addiction and exhaustion.