| This current study examined whether narcissism,extraversion and self-esteem predict Facebook use.The study aimed at finding whether narcissism,extraversion and self-esteem have an impact on Facebook use among students.Specifically,the study was guided by the following hypotheses:H1a)individuals who score high in narcissism tend to heavily use FB;Hlb)individuals who score high in extraversion tend to heavily use FB;Hlc)individuals who score high in self-esteem tend to heavily use FB and lastly,H2)the use of FB by students who scored high on narcissism,extraversion and self-esteem will negatively impact their Subject-Wellbeing.The study was quantitative in nature utilizing descriptive statistics;with the use of purposive sampling and a case study method to test the model.A sample of 627 students selected from the University of Botswana participated in the study and their age ranged between 18-45 years.Data were collected with the use of five standardized research instruments namely Facebook Importance and Motivation Scale with Cronbach's alpha(0.83),Narcissism Personality Inventory-16 Scale with Cronbach's alpha(0.72),Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale with Cronbach's alpha(0.77),Mini-IPIP Extraversion Scale with Cronbach's alpha(0.87),and Subjective Well-being Scale with a Cronbach's alpha(0.81).The data was analysed using SPPS 21 correlation coefficients and regression analysis.Participants were all Facebook users,therefore,results revealed they all exhibited greater FB use.Findings indicated that narcissism(R2=0.48,p<0.01),extraversion(R2= 0.39,p<0.01),and self-esteem(R2= 0.34,p<0.01)significantly predict Facebook use.The results further indicated that higher scores in narcissism(B= 0.69,p<0.01),extraversion(B= 0.20,p<0.01),and self-esteem(?=0.58,p<0.01)are associated with higher scores in Facebook use,suggesting that students who scored high in all the three personality had greater Facebook usage.Therefore,hypothesis 1a),1b)and 1c)were accepted.Given that university students often gain gratifications from using Facebook,consistent with previous findings,the study expected the use of FB by students exhibiting high levels of narcissism,extraversion and self-esteem to increase perceived high levels of negative emotions and feelings which may hamper with their subjective-wellbeing.The overall model of the impact of narcissism(R2= 0.78,p<0.01),extraversion(R2= 0.72,p<0.01),and self-esteem(R2= 0.76,p<0.01)on Facebook usage of students' subjective-wellbeing was significant.Furthermore,results of the study indicated that the indirect effect of narcissism on Facebook(2.60),extraversion(0.08),and self-esteem(1.54)on Facebook use through the mediation effect of Subjective-Wellbeing is significant;suggesting that greater Facebook usage is related to positive emotions and satisfaction with life among university students.This findings are contradictory to previous findings;therefore,hypothesis 2a),2b)and 2c)are all rejected by the study.Consistent with hypothetical background of Uses and Gratifications Theory which was used in the study as a primary foundation to help explain the motivations behind FB use among students,the study suggest that university students use Facebook to 1)for personal importance,that is to maintain relationships,to satisfy the need to belong,the need to feel a sense of self-worth,and the need to adjust at the university among others;2)for social purposes,that is to download and upload music,pass time,or read online news;and 3)intensity use,that is to seek popularity,seek attention,self-promotion,and self-presentation.Therefore,FB plays a significant role in college students' lives and tends to influence their well-being positively.These results reveal that students who use FB experience greater FB use tend to experience higher well-being. |
PDF Full Text Request