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Perceived Stress and the Buffering Hypothesis of Perceived Social Support on Facebook

Lynch, John G.
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=antioch1344533616

Abstract Details

2012, Psy. D., Antioch University, Antioch New England: Clinical Psychology.
Online social networking sites have experienced a surge in popularity since their inception. Serving as a hub for communities of all ages, Web sites such as MySpace, Friendster and Facebook bridge geographic and time limitations and offer their members the opportunity to connect with anyone on the Internet at any time. The growing accessibility of technology for computer-mediated communication, outside of such Web sites offers similar opportunities. Although critics share concern over potential for the loss of intimacy, the possibility for increased levels of perceived social support through limitless networking options should not be overlooked. When we consider the strong connection between perceived social support and perceived stress, which are linked to physical and mental symptomatology, the possible benefits are worthy of inquiry. This study explores the constructs of perceived social support and perceived stress and examines the impact of online social networking sites and computer-mediated communication upon a person’s experience of them. Results supported Cohen’s Stress-buffering hypothesis. A significant negative correlation was found for the association between reported levels of perceived social support and levels of perceived stress. Facebook use was not significantly related to perceived social support. This finding failed the second step for establishing mediation and disproved the hypothesis that perceived social support mediates a negative correlation between Facebook use and perceived stress. Further exploration revealed a significant relationship between respondent preference for computer-mediated communication, perceived social support, and perceived stress, however. The more that respondents preferred online communication to face-to-face or telephone communication, the greater the level of stress they perceived. Also, respondents who reported a preference for computer-mediated communication reported lower levels of perceived social support. A regression analysis was performed on these two relationships and perceived social support was found to mediate the relationship between a preference for computer-mediated communication and higher levels of perceived stress.
Susan Hawes, PhD (Committee Chair)
William Slammon, PhD (Committee Member)
Dean Hammer, PsyD (Committee Member)
126 p.
Clinical Psychology
computer-mediated communication; Facebook; perceived social support; perceived stress; social networking sites; mediation

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Lynch, J. G. (2012). Perceived Stress and the Buffering Hypothesis of Perceived Social Support on Facebook [Doctoral dissertation, Antioch University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=antioch1344533616

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Lynch, John. Perceived Stress and the Buffering Hypothesis of Perceived Social Support on Facebook. 2012. Antioch University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=antioch1344533616.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Lynch, John. "Perceived Stress and the Buffering Hypothesis of Perceived Social Support on Facebook." Doctoral dissertation, Antioch University, 2012. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=antioch1344533616

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

antioch1344533616
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© 2012, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Antioch University and OhioLINK.