The Role of Personality, Self-Esteem, and Life Satisfaction in Regards to Social Networking: An Examination of Facebook Users

This study looked at a wide array of aspects of Facebook users. Specifically, it analyzed their personality (using the Ten Item Personality Inventory), self-esteem (using the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale), life satisfaction (using the Quality of Life Enjoyment Scale- Short Form), and their potential level of Facebook 'addiction' (using the Bergen Facebook Addiction Scale) by means of an anonymous online survey. Results illustrate significant personality differences among the sample with conscientiousness being significantly higher than all other scales and openness being significantly lower. Overall, subjects that met the criteria for potential `addiction' had higher levels of self-esteem. A negative correlation was found between quality of life enjoyment and satisfaction and the Facebook `addiction' measure. These findings suggest that Facebook use is not as detrimental as previously found and, additionally, that Facebook users are less a sample divergent from the main stream. While psychological treatment should take into consideration various patterns of behavior, social networking use and Facebook involvement should not be considered deviant or detrimental before being properly assessed.