The effect of adolescents’ active social networking site use on life satisfaction: The sequential mediating roles of positive feedback and relational certainty

• Published in: Current psychology (New Brunswick, N.J.) N.J.), 2020-12, Vol.39 (6), p.2087-2095
• Main Authors: Lian, Shuai-Lei, Sun, Xiao-Jun, Yang, Xiu-juan, Zhou, Zong-Kui
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Behavioral Science and Psychology; Junior high school students; Online social networks; Psychology; Social aspects; Social networks; Social Sciences; Surveys; Teenagers; Youth
• ISSN: 1046-1310; 1936-4733
• DOI: 10.1007/s12144-018-9882-y

The present research tested the mediating roles of positive feedback and relational certainty in the relation between active social networking site use and life satisfaction. A survey research method was adopted in which four anonymous questionnaires, Inventory of active social networking site use, Positive Feedback Scale, Relational Certainty Scale as well as Life Satisfaction Scale, were completed by 742 senior middle school students. Results indicated that active social networking site use could not only predict life satisfaction positively through the mediating role of positive feedback, but also through the mediating role of relational certainty. The sequential mediating role of positive feedback and relational certainty could also be found in the complex mechanism of active social networking site use on life satisfaction. These results shed light on the importance of active social networking site use and positive feedback for adolescent adjustment.