Investigating Facebook and Instagram Activities, Loneliness, and College Adjustment Among University Students

• In Event: Roundtable Session 48
  In Roundtable Session: Media, Culture, and Learning SIG Roundtable: Exploring Multiple Perspectives in Different Media Spaces

Abstract

Drawing on literature of college adjustment, self-determination theory, and social media use, we investigated how various activities on different social media platforms (i.e., Facebook and Instagram) contributed to college students’ level of loneliness and college adjustment. Participants included 282 university students. Loneliness was measured using the UCLA Loneliness Scale (Russell, 1996) and college adjustment was measured using the Student Adaptation to College Questionnaire (Baker & Siryk, 1989). Scales for Facebook and Instagram activities were created and factor analyzed. Path analysis revealed positive and negative paths between social media activities, loneliness, and college adjustment. Educators may benefit from utilizing social media as a space for students to publicly interact, bond, and learn from others, thereby facilitating their social well-being in college.

Authors

• Ashley Payne, The University of Memphis

• Chia-chen Yang, The University of Memphis

• Yen Lee, University of Wisconsin - Madison