Loneliness, Friendship, and Facebook Intrusion. A Study in Poland, Slovakia, Syria, Malaysia, and Ecuador

• Main Authors: Agata Błachnio, Aneta Przepiórka, Mariusz Wołońciej, Ali Bassam Mahmoud, Juraj Holdoš, Eiad Yafi
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Slovak Academy of Sciences, Centre of Social and Psychological Sciences 2018-10-01
• Series: Studia Psychologica
• Subjects: Facebook intrusion; loneliness; friendship
• Online Access: http://www.studiapsychologica.com/uploads/BLACHNIO_SP_3_vol.60_2018_pp.183-194.pdf

With the increasing popularity of Facebook, a new social phenomenon connected with its extensive use has appeared: namely, Facebook intrusion. The main aim of the study was to examine the mediating role of loneliness in the relation between friendships and Facebook intrusion. We analyzed data from five countries: Poland (N = 399), Slovakia (N = 266), Syria (N = 475), Ecuador (N = 327), and Malaysia (N = 241). The total sample consisted of 1731 participants who had Facebook accounts; 61% of the participants were women. We administered the Facebook Intrusion Scale, the Loneliness Scale, and the Friendship Scale. The results indicated differences in the role of loneliness and friendship in Facebook intrusion, depending on the country. Among young Polish people, friendship decreases loneliness and loneliness decreases Facebook intrusion. Whereas among Ecuadorians friendship decreases loneliness, while loneliness increases Facebook intrusion.