Compulsive SNS use

 Prevalence

The Compulsive Social Networking Site Scale (CSS) was integrated in the survey to establish the number of compulsive SNS users in our adolescent sample. Again, a cut-off score of on average 2 and more (= sometimes) was used to divide the sample into compulsive and non- compulsive users. A prevalence of 7.1% compulsive SNS users was found among the secondary school children. The compulsive users have an average CSS score (M = 2.3) which is significantly higher than that of the non-compulsive SNS users (M = 0.66), (t(92.067) = -30,908, p < .01.

In addition, a closer look was taken at the seriousness of the compulsive SNS use by applying alternative cut-off points in order to arrive at three groups of compulsive SNS users (Table 9). A prevalence of 5.9% is found in group 1 with CSS scores ranging from 2 to 2.49. A prevalence of 0.6% is found in group 2 with average scores between 2.5 and 2.99. Finally, a prevalence of 0.6% can be found in the highest category with average CSS scores ranging from 3 to 4.

Table 9: Different groups of compulsive SNS users

Beta p ΔR2

STEP 1

Gender -.358 .000 10.9%

Adjusted R2 10.9%

STEP2

Time spent on sports -.159 .000 4.9%

Adjusted R2 15%

STEP 3

Rules about time Rules about content

.205 -.149 .000 .000 4.6% Adjusted R2 _19.6% STEP 4 Agreeableness Resourcefulness Depressive feelings -.172 -.096 .300 .000 .013 .000 14.9% Adjusted R2 _34.5% Group 1 (2 – 2.49) 5.9% Group 2: (2.5 – 2.99) 0.6% Group 3: (3 – 4) 0.6%

59  Time spent on SNS

Youngsters in the compulsive category spent on average 2 hours and 38 minutes per day on SNS on a school day. In the non-compulsive group this is significantly less: 1 hour and 7 minutes (t(69.824) = -3.714, p < .01). The time spent on SNS rises for both groups on a weekend day or during the holidays, but is still higher among compulsive SNS users: 4 hours and 35 minutes vs. 2 hours and 1 minute (t(70.751) = -4.447, p < .01).

 Socio-demographic profile

No difference is found regarding gender in the group of compulsive users of SNS. The compulsive group consists of 51.4% girls and 48.6% boys. The average age in the group is 14.84. The groups do, however, differ by education level. 31.4% of the compulsive users is in vocational education compared to only 21.9% of the non-compulsive users. Furthermore, 38.6% of the compulsive SNS users follow technical education which is less than the 25.9% of the non-compulsive users. No difference was found regarding art education: 8.6% in the compulsive group versus 10.1% in the non-compulsive group. Finally, compulsive SNS users are found less in general education (21.4)% compared to their non-compulsive counterparts (42.2%). A Pearson chi-square test shows that the association between education level and whether or not an adolescent suffers from compulsive SNS use is significant: (χ² = 13,26, p < .01, df = 3). The results did not show differences regarding marital status of the parents, number of brothers and sisters and the birth order of the respondent. A small negative correlation was found between average CSS score and the indication adolescents gave about their family’s financial situation (-.104).

 Parental control

Although significant correlations were found between average CIUS and VAT scores and rules about internet use (content and time) imposed by parents, the results show that this is not the case for the average score on the CSS measuring compulsive SNS use.

 Attitude towards school, personality and psychosocial wellbeing

Adolescents in the group of compulsive SNS users have a more negative attitude towards school (M = 5.31) in comparison to the group of non-compulsive users (M = 6.04), t(80.218) = 2.218, p < .05. No difference was found regarding the indication youngsters gave about their grades.

No differences are found between the compulsive and non-compulsive groups regarding the personality dimensions conscientiousness (t(746) = 1.036, p > .05) and resourcefulness (t(77.704) = 0.817, p > .05). The compulsive SNS users did show lower scores (M = 20.08) on the personality trait extraversion compared to non-compulsive users (M = 21.26), t(739)=2.132, p < .05. Also, the average score on the dimension emotional stability is lower in

60 the compulsive group: M = 17.23 versus M = 18.321 (t(745)=2.26, p < .05). To conclude, lower scores were found among compulsive SNS users when looking at agreeableness: M = 22.67 versus M = 23.65 (t(76.965) = 2.222, p < .05).

The groups appear to differ when comparing the average scores on the four variables measuring psycho-social wellbeing. Compulsive SNS users experience more feelings of loneliness (M = 29.36) compared to their non-compulsive counterparts (M = 24.63), t(746)= - 5.741, p < .01. This is also the case for depressive feelings which are stronger in the compulsive group: M = 12.53 versus M = 8.99, t(90.294) = -7.569, p < .01). Perceived control on the other hand is lower among compulsive SNS users (M = 22.26) compared to the non- compulsive users (M = 24.46), t(741) = 4.454, p < .01. Self-esteem is also lower in the compulsive group: M = 32.55 versus M = 36.21, t(734) = 4.885, p < .01. (for correlation overview see Table 12, p. 63)

 Predictors of compulsive SNS use

Predictors of compulsive SNS use were established by using hierarchical regression modeling. Gender and age are entered in the first step and explain 2.5% of the variance in average CSS score (F(2, 592) = 8.608, p < .01). The five personality traits in the second block explain an extra 6% (F(7, 587) = 8.902, p < .01). Variables indicating psychosocial wellbeing are entered in the last block and explain 7.3% in addition to steps 1 and 2 (F(11, 583) = 11.046, p < .01). The total block with age and gender, personality and psychosocial wellbeing explain 15.8% of the variance in CSS score.

Table 10: Predictive regression model 1 for average CSS score

Beta p ΔR2 STEP 1 Gender Age -.121 -.084 .003 .031 2.5% Adjusted R2 _2.5% STEP2 Extraversion Agreeableness Conscientiousness Emotionalstability Resourcefulness .056 -.124 .016 -.067 .029 .174 .005 .706 .149 .487 6% Adjusted R2 8.5% STEP 3 Loneliness Perceived control Self-esteem Depressive feelings .113 -.155 -.113 .219 .024 .003 .046 .000 7.3% Adjusted R2 15.8%

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