The Reciprocal Relations Between Facebook Relationship Maintenance Behaviors and Adolescents’ Closeness to Friends

• In Event: To Understand Communication and Social Networks II

Abstract

The aim of this two-wave longitudinal panel study was to investigate the reciprocal relationships between Facebook relationship maintenance behaviors and adolescents’ closeness to friends. A sample of 12- to 18-year-old adolescents (NTime1 = 1,840) filled out a paper-and-pencil survey twice within a six month-interval. Findings revealed that Facebook relationship maintenance behaviors and adolescents’ closeness to friends were reciprocally related over time: Facebook relationship maintenance behaviors positively predicted adolescents’ closeness to friends and, at the same time, closeness to friends positively predicted adolescents’ Facebook relationship maintenance behaviors. In addition, receiving positive Facebook reactions fully mediated these reciprocal relationships. The discussion focuses on the understanding of these findings, directions for future research, and key limitations.

Authors

• Eline Frison, U of Leuven - School for Mass Communication Research

• Steven Eggermont, U of Leuven - School for Mass Communication Research