Exploring active and passive interactions in social networking services: a psychological needs perspective

Yang, Yongqing; Xu, Jianyue; Land, Lesley Pek Wee; Yang, Shuiqing; Chesney, Thomas

Abstract

Purpose
People's socializing behavior in social networking services (SNS) presents dramatically different features, forming differentiated online social interaction patterns (DOSIP) in SNS. This study aims to explore the relationships between users' multidimensional psychological needs and multiple social interaction patterns in SNS.

Design/methodology/approach
Based on Maslow's hierarchy of needs and use and gratifications (U&G) theory,the authors develop the research model to examine the effects of psychological needs on DOSIP. A survey is used to collect the data of SNS users' social interaction. The authors adopt structural equation modeling-neural network (SEM-NN) integrated method to examine the research model.

Findings
Need to belong, need for self-esteem, need for social contact, need for emotional expression, need for cognition, and need for external-esteem have significant influences on both active and passive social interactions respectively.

Originality/value
Based on the categorization of DOSIP into six types in terms of the level of activity and disclosure ofsocial interaction,the authors constructan integrated research model of multidimensional psychological needs to multiple social interaction patterns, and validate the antecedents of DOSIP from the perspective of psychological needs.

Citation

Yang, Y., Xu, J., Land, L. P. W., Yang, S., & Chesney, T. (2024). Exploring active and passive interactions in social networking services: a psychological needs perspective. Information Technology and People, 37(5), 1918-1949. https://doi.org/10.1108/ITP-07-2022-0563

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Apr 1, 2023
• Online Publication Date: Jul 3, 2023
• Publication Date: Jul 5, 2024
• Deposit Date: Aug 31, 2023
• Publicly Available Date: Sep 8, 2023
• Journal: Information Technology and People
• Print ISSN: 0959-3845
• Publisher: Emerald
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 37
• Issue: 5
• Pages: 1918-1949
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/ITP-07-2022-0563
• Keywords: Psychological needs; Social networking services; Need to belong; Self-esteem; Active interaction; Passive interaction; Structural equation modeling; Neural network Paper type Research paper
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/24808939
• Publisher URL: https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/ITP-07-2022-0563/full/html