Differential Psychological Characteristics between High Exposure Social Networks Users vs. Non- users

Abstract

The present study analyzes the use of social networks in high exposure users and identifies individual differences in relation to personality traits, symptomatology, life satisfaction and perception of positive /negative effects between high exposure users vs. non-users. The sample consisted of 298 subjects (183 men, 115 women), average age 41.67 (sd = 16.03). 149 participants were high exposure users (more than 6 hours) and 149 were non-users. The data collection was based on: Big Five inventory, symptom Checklist–90–r, satisfaction with Life scale, and a survey designed ad-hoc to evaluate the different uses of social networks. The results show that Facebook and instagram are the most used networks and are mainly used to keep in contact with others. Regarding individual differences, those participants who do not use social networks perceive themselves as more responsible and with a higher level of life satisfaction. In addition, high exposure users register a greater degree of general symptomatology and they perceive themselves as more neurotic. Likewise, they tend to perceive that the use of networks generates a positive effect.