Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Emeritus Professor of Ferdowsi University of Mashhad (FUM), Iran

2 Ph.D. Candidate of Ferdowsi University of Mashhad(FUM), International Campus, Faculty Member of Kherad Garayan Motahar Higher Education Institute, Mashhad, Iran

3 Phd Candidate of Ferdowsi University of Mashhad (FUM), International Campus, Mashhad, Iran

Abstract

The wide-spread use of online social networking sites has sparked many psychological issues and research around the globe. A unique phenomenon has come into existence in which people rely on Facebook to satisfy their attachment need. It is one of the very innately psychological needs that presents throughout a life span. The present study investigated the interaction between attachment style and social networking site use. The result showed that attachment style contributed significantly to the level of social media use. It also pointed out that the attachment style distinguished significantly between active and non-active users. Future research and implications of the study were discussed.

Keywords

Anders, S.L., Tucker, J.S. (2000). Adult attachment style, interpersonal communication competence, and social support. Personal Relationships 7(4):379-389
Baker, L.R., Oswald, D.L. (2010). Shyness and online social networking services. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships 27(7):873-889.
Bowlby, J. (1982). Attachment and loss: Vol. 1. Attachment, 2nd edn., Basic Books, New York.
Brennan, K.A., Clark, C.L., Shaver, P.R. (1998). Self-report measurement of adult attachment: An integrative overview. In J. A. Simpson & W.S. Rholes (eds.), Attachment theory and close relationships ,pp. 46–76, Guilford, New York
Grazella, M.  (2013).  Facebook has 64m active Iran users. The Jakarta Post.
Griffin, D.W., Bartholomew, K. (1994). The metaphysics of measurement: The case of adult attachment. In K. Bartholomew, & D. Perlman (eds.), Advances in personal relationships: Attachment processes in adulthood pp. 17-52, Kingsley, London.
Griffin, D., Bartholomew, K. (1994). Models of the self and other - fundamental dimensions underlying measures of adult attachment. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 67(3), 430-445.
Hazan, C., Shaver, B. (1987). Conceptualizing romantic love as an attachment process. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology  52: 511-524.
Jenkins-Guarnieri, M.A., Wright, S.L., Hudiburgh, L.M. (2012). The relationships among attachment style, personality traits, interpersonal competency, and Facebook use. Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology 33(6): 294-301
Marshall, T.C., Bejanyan, K., Di Castro, G., Lee, R.A. (2013). Attachment styles as predictors of Facebook-related jealousy and surveillance in romantic relationships. Personal Relationships 20(1): 1-22.
Oldmeadow, J.A., Quinn, S., Kowert, R. (2013). Attachment style, social skills, and Facebook use amongst adults. Computers in Human Behavior 29(3): 1142-1149.
Raacke, J., Bonds-Raacke, J. (2008). MySpace and Facebook: Applying the uses and gratifications theory to exploring friend-networking sites. Cyber psychology & Behavior 11(2): 169-174.
Roberts, L. D., Smith, L. M., Pollock, C. M. (2000).  U r a lot bolder on the net: Shyness and internet use. In R. Crozier W. (Ed.), Shyness: Development, consolidation and change, pp. 121-138.
Subrahmanyam, K., Reich, S. M., Waechter, N., & Espinoza, G. (2008) . Online and offline social networks: Use of social networking sites by emerging adults. Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology 29(6): 420-433.