Motives for Maintaining Personal Journal Blogs

• In Event: Modeling, Theorizing, and Criticizing Communication Technology

Abstract

This study explored motives for maintaining personal journal blogs. Stemming from the uses and gratifications perspective, antecedents (age, gender, loneliness, disclosiveness) and blogging motives composed a model for predicting amount of blog use. Eight motives emerged from online survey data - helping/informing, social connection, exhibitionism, pass time, archiving/organizing, professional, get feedback, and reporting details. Implications for the significant relationships in the model were discussed in light of the present and future state of Internet use.

Author

• Erin Hollenbaugh, Kent State University, Stark