The purpose of this study was to answer the following question: How do young adults who are avid social networking site (SNS) users build and maintain interpersonal relationships? I became curious about young adults’ perceptions of the ways in which social networking sites play a role in their ability to build and maintain interpersonal relationships.
As young adults continue to increase the amount of time they spend on social media websites, it is important to explore their types of involvement in social media and their ability to create meaningful online or offline relationships. A national poll conducted by the Common Sense Media found that young adults log on to their favorite social media sites more than ten times per day. This gives evidence that a large part of social and emotional development is occurring on the Internet.
This study offers a deeper understanding of the experiences of young adults’ SNS usage and their ability to initiate and maintain interpersonal relationships. As young adults continue to increase the amount of time spent on SNS they are affected either positively or negatively, which may have some effect on their ability to create meaningful relationships.
Table of Contents
I INTRODUCTION
II LITERATURE REVIEW
III METHODOLOGY
IV FINDINGS
V DISCUSSION
REFERENCES
APPENDICES
Appendix A: Flyer
Appendix B: Study Research Information Sheet
Appendix C: Informed Consent
Appendix D: Demographic Information Sheet
Appendix E: Interview Questions
Appendix F: Approval Letter from the Smith College Human Subjects Review Committee
Research Objectives and Themes
This study aims to explore how young adults who are frequent users of social networking sites (SNS) build and maintain interpersonal relationships, specifically investigating how these digital interactions influence or intersect with their offline social connections and personal development.
- The role of SNS in the initiation and maintenance of interpersonal relationships.
- The translation of online social experiences into offline relationship dynamics.
- Gender-based differences in the usage of SNS for personal vs. professional networking.
- The influence of Self-Psychology concepts, such as the grandiose self and twinship, on online self-presentation and engagement.
Excerpt from the Book
Three Tiers of Relationships
Though my research question sought to explore how young adults use SNS to build and maintain friendships and relationships, it was evident from the data that the way in which participants did so was very dependent on with whom specifically the participant was engaging. The way in which participants used SNS to build and maintain interpersonal relationships – the how and why of their SNS usage – depended entirely on which of the three different relationship groups those relationships fell into; the parameters that define these groups emerged from the interview responses and were consistent across participants. The data showed that the degree to which SNS are, or are not, important as a means of engagement depended entirely upon the relationship group to which the participant assigned their friend, family member, or acquaintance.
All of the participants tiered their relationships, whether they were offline or online relationships, into three distinct groups. Membership in a group was determined by (a) the way in which the participants engaged with a person, (b) the frequency with which the participants engaged with that person, and (c) what participants shared with this person. Every participant had a very clear understanding of which people in their social sphere they assigned to which group. The three groups that emerged from the data were as followed: (a) close friends and family members (“first tier”), (b) second-tier friends and family, friends and family participants engage with periodically via in-person contacts, telephone, and text or chatting, (“second tier”), and (c) people participants are curious about but do not actively engage with on a periodic basis and may not actively engage with at all (“third tier”). This tiering of relationships was a common theme among all participants and framed the substance of their responses.
Summary of Chapters
I INTRODUCTION: This chapter defines the research question regarding how young adults use social networking sites to build and maintain relationships and establishes the clinical relevance of the study.
II LITERATURE REVIEW: This chapter examines developmental theories, the history of social networking sites, and the application of Self-Psychology as a framework for understanding digital identity and connection.
III METHODOLOGY: This chapter outlines the qualitative research design, the selection criteria for the twelve participants, and the thematic analysis approach used to process the interview data.
IV FINDINGS: This chapter presents the research results, highlighting the categorization of relationships into three tiers and revealing gender differences in SNS usage for professional vs. social purposes.
V DISCUSSION: This chapter interprets the findings in the context of existing literature, addresses study limitations, and suggests implications for future clinical practice and research.
Keywords
Social Networking Sites, SNS, Interpersonal Relationships, Young Adults, Self-Psychology, Online Identity, Offline Engagement, Gender Differences, Qualitative Research, Twinship, Grandiose Self, True Self, Social Media, Relationship Maintenance, Digital Communication.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research?
The study explores how young adults who are avid users of social networking sites manage their interpersonal relationships and how their online activity relates to their real-world social connections.
What are the primary themes discussed in the work?
The research focuses on the classification of relationships into tiers, the role of SNS in maintaining connections with distant friends, gender-specific usage patterns, and the impact of online persona curation on self-esteem.
What is the main research question?
The study seeks to answer how young adults who are avid social networking site users build and maintain their interpersonal relationships.
Which research methodology was utilized?
The author conducted a qualitative study involving semi-structured, in-person and telephone interviews with twelve participants aged 18 to 30, followed by a thematic analysis of the data.
What does the main body of the text cover?
It covers the participants' motivations for using SNS, their distinct categorization of relationships into tiers, and how these online interactions can both support and occasionally strain offline personal relationships.
What are the key terms that define this study?
Key terms include Social Networking Sites (SNS), Self-Psychology, online/offline relationship maintenance, gender differences in networking, and identity formation.
How does the "three-tier" relationship model function?
Participants categorized their social circles into three tiers based on frequency and depth of interaction: close friends/family (first tier), periodic contacts (second tier), and passive acquaintances (third tier).
Did the study find significant gender differences in SNS usage?
Yes, the study observed that male participants predominantly utilized SNS for business and professional networking, whereas female participants focused almost exclusively on social interaction and environment.
How do participants feel about sharing personal vulnerabilities online?
The majority of participants were reluctant to share deeply personal or negative information online, viewing their profiles as spaces for positive, curated presentations of their lives.
What role does Self-Psychology play in the analysis?
Self-Psychology provides a theoretical lens to explain how SNS act as a mirror for the "grandiose self" and fulfill the need for "twinship," validating the user's need for belonging and connection.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Josselyn Sheer (Autor:in), 2014, Young Adults’ Online and Offline Interpersonal Relationships, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/370420
