Sense of community (SoC) can be considered a measure of the relation between people and their social environment. There is a growing body of research that has analysed SoC in adolescence, referring in particular to territorial communities and, to a smaller extent, to schools. Less attention was devoted to understand Sense of Virtual Community (SoVC) in adolescence, despite the growing popularity of social network sites among youth, and the impact that their use can have on their identity production. Great attention has been dedicated to the risks associated with excessive computer use (e.g. Young, 1998) and its potential interference with daily life, however there are also some evidences that Information and Communication Technology may enhance place-based community, increase sense of agency, facilitate the generation of social capital and increase well being (Ellison et al., 2007). Aim of the present study is therefore to understand if social network sites represent an opportunity (or a threat) for positive youth outcomes. Participants were 309 high school students from 17 to 20 years olds, who completed a questionnaire that examined territorial SoC (using the short form of the Italian Sense of Community Scale for Adolescents (ISCS-A, Cicognani, Albanesi, Zani, 2006) and SoVC (using the scale proposed by Blanchard, 2007 and an adaptation of the ISCS-A), their relationship with activities/time spent on line (in particular the amount of time spent on Facebook and Msn) and off line (e.g., structured activities, spending time with friends, watching TV) and their effect on social and psychological well being. Preliminary results showed that 44% of the sample stays on line from two to five hours per day, with a 14% that stays connected more that 5 hours daily. SoVC is significantly higher compared to SoC, but the latter is significantly more associated with social and emotional well being.
Adolescent use of social network sites, sense of community and well-being: some empirical findings
ALBANESI, CINZIA;
2009
Abstract
Sense of community (SoC) can be considered a measure of the relation between people and their social environment. There is a growing body of research that has analysed SoC in adolescence, referring in particular to territorial communities and, to a smaller extent, to schools. Less attention was devoted to understand Sense of Virtual Community (SoVC) in adolescence, despite the growing popularity of social network sites among youth, and the impact that their use can have on their identity production. Great attention has been dedicated to the risks associated with excessive computer use (e.g. Young, 1998) and its potential interference with daily life, however there are also some evidences that Information and Communication Technology may enhance place-based community, increase sense of agency, facilitate the generation of social capital and increase well being (Ellison et al., 2007). Aim of the present study is therefore to understand if social network sites represent an opportunity (or a threat) for positive youth outcomes. Participants were 309 high school students from 17 to 20 years olds, who completed a questionnaire that examined territorial SoC (using the short form of the Italian Sense of Community Scale for Adolescents (ISCS-A, Cicognani, Albanesi, Zani, 2006) and SoVC (using the scale proposed by Blanchard, 2007 and an adaptation of the ISCS-A), their relationship with activities/time spent on line (in particular the amount of time spent on Facebook and Msn) and off line (e.g., structured activities, spending time with friends, watching TV) and their effect on social and psychological well being. Preliminary results showed that 44% of the sample stays on line from two to five hours per day, with a 14% that stays connected more that 5 hours daily. SoVC is significantly higher compared to SoC, but the latter is significantly more associated with social and emotional well being.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
