The underlying mechanisms related to social connectedness derived from Facebook

As a concept embedded in belonging, the beneficial outcomes associated with social connectedness are well demonstrated in previous research. The current research investigated whether social connectedness is derived from specific features within Facebook. Participants (N = 354) were Facebook users over the age of 18, who completed an online survey assessing Facebook feature social connectedness, and psychological wellbeing (e.g. depression, anxiety, and life satisfaction). Exploratory factor analysis (Maximum Likelihood with Direct Oblimin rotation) revealed seven distinct yet related factors, including face-to-face social connectedness, liking-derived connectedness, wall posting-derived connectedness, and Messenger-derived connectedness. Results of subsequent bivariate correlational analysis revealed that social connectedness derived from liking, Messenger, and to a lesser extent wall posts, was modestly but significantly associated with psychological wellbeing. The results have various theoretical and practical implications. Despite the cross-sectional design preventing causal inferences to be drawn, the current study contributes to our understanding of how belongingness needs can be met on Facebook via specific features, and the psychological experiences associated with this sense of connectedness. Future research implementing a longitudinal design is needed in order to determine causation, assisting researchers to make more conclusive interpretations about potential practical applications of the findings in clinical settings