Facebook addiction among Turkish college students: the role of psychological health, demographic, and usage characteristics

Cyberpsychol Behav Soc Netw. 2013 Apr;16(4):279-84. doi: 10.1089/cyber.2012.0249. Epub 2013 Jan 3.

Abstract

This study explored Facebook addiction among Turkish college students and its behavioral, demographic, and psychological health predictors. The Facebook Addiction Scale (FAS) was developed and its construct validity was assessed through factor analyses. A total of 447 students reported their personal information and Facebook usage and completed the FAS and General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28). The results revealed that weekly time commitment, social motives, severe depression, and anxiety and insomnia positively predicted Facebook addiction. Neither demographic variables nor the interactions of gender by usage characteristics were found to be significant predictors.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Anxiety / psychology
  • Behavior, Addictive / psychology*
  • Depression / psychology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Interpersonal Relations
  • Male
  • Mental Health*
  • Motivation
  • Self Concept
  • Social Media*
  • Social Networking*
  • Students / psychology*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Turkey
  • Universities