RESUMO
Resumen Las redes sociales virtuales atraen a diferentes usuarios por las múltiples potencialidades e impactos característicos de esta sociedad tecnológica. El propósito de este estudio es identificar las redes sociales virtuales más usadas por los jóvenes, los motivos personales de uso y la relación de su utilización con la percepción de soledad y las habilidades de autoexpresión en escenarios sociales. En particular, se evalúan las diferencias de tales usos en función de la edad, el nivel de escolaridad y el género. En el estudio participaron 251 jóvenes adultos españoles con edades comprendidas entre los 18 y 40 años (X = 26.33, D.T. = 5-91) contactados a través de un muestreo no probabilístico por conveniencia. Se observó que el uso de las redes sociales virtuales se ve aumentado en los participantes con bajas habilidades sociales, altos niveles de soledad y más jóvenes. Destacan los motivos de aburrimiento y evasión o escape para usar los espacios digitales y se registra una tendencia en los jóvenes de la generación Z (18 a 28 años) a utilizar más las redes sociales virtuales, en comparación con los de la generación Y (29 a 40 años). Como conclusiones, se señala la conveniencia de controlar el uso problemático de las redes sociales virtuales y de entrenar las habilidades sociales para mejorar las relaciones interpersonales.
Abstract Virtual social networks are attracting different types of users thanks to the multiple potentialities and impacts characteristic of this technological society. The aim of this study is to identify the virtual social networks most used by young people, as well as the personal reasons for use and their negative effects in relation to the perception of loneliness and their self-expression skills in social settings. As specific objectives, it is proposed to determine the differences in such uses depending on age, level of education and gender. A non-probabilistic convenience sampling was carried out so that 251 young Spanish adults between the ages of 18 and 40 years old participated (X = 26.33, DT. = 5-91). It has been verified that the use of social networks is increased when presenting low social skills, having high levels of loneliness and the younger one is. The reasons for boredom and evasion or escape in the use of these digital spaces stand out, and a tendency is observed in the young people of Generation Z (young people between 18 and 28 years old) to use VSN more in comparison with the previous Generation Y (with a range of 29 to 40 years old). It emphasizes the convenience of controlling the problematic use of social networks, training social skills to improve interpersonal relationships and strengthening emotionally.
RESUMO
Resumen El presente estudio se propuso investigar perfiles de usuarios de redes sociales que presentan conductas disruptivas online. Para tal fin se diseñó un índice que permite evaluar el nivel en el que se presentan dichas conductas y se analizó la relación entre la intensidad de la conducta disruptiva online con variables sociodemográficas, motivos de usos de redes, variables de personalidad (normales, patológicas y rasgos vinculados a tríada oscura), bienestar y malestar psicológico. Participaron 858 adultos (421 hombres y 437 mujeres) que tenían en promedio 39.16 años (DE = 14.14). Para la recolección de datos se administraron: Dark Triad Scale, Big Five Inventory, Inventario para Trastornos de la Personalidad para el DSM-5, Mental Health Continuum . Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale, y se diseñaron dos escalas: Índice de Conductas Disruptivas Online y Motivos de Utilización de Redes Sociales. En cuanto a las variables sociodemográficas, se halló que los más jóvenes de sexo masculino y que no trabajaban eran quienes presentaban un mayor nivel de comportamientos disruptivos online. En cuanto a los motivos de uso de redes, se observó que preferían usarlas con fines meramente exhibicionistas, de ocio o para iniciar nuevas relaciones. Por otro lado, en relación con rasgos de personalidad, aquellos que diferenciaban los perfiles en cuanto a la intensidad de las conductas disruptivas fueron: bajos niveles de responsabilidad y altos niveles de desinhibición, narcisismo y maquiavelismo. Por último, se demostró que presentar este tipo de conductas se asocia con mayor nivel de estrés y menor de bienestar social.
Abstract The present study focused on the analysis of online disruptive behavior that usually occurs among social network users. Individuals who perpetrate such behavior are commonly known as trolls or haters (Cheng, Danescu-Niculescu-Mitzil, & Leskovec, 2015). In general, they post comments, photos or provocative videos that do not pursue any purpose other than annoying or obtaining pleasure or fun (Brandel, 2007; Phillips, 2011). Recent studies have shown that certain personality traits are associated with the presence of such disruptive behavior. In this research, we studied normal personality traits, psychopathological traits, and dark personality traits in relation to disruptive behavior. The normal personality traits were considered from the classic Five Factor Model (FFM) - Openness to experience, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness, Neuroticism (Costa, & McCrae, 1985); the psychopathological traits, from the latest version of the DSM - Negative Effect, Detachment, Antagonism, Disinhibition and Psychoticism (DSM-5, American Psychiatric Association, 2013); and the dark personality traits from the so-called Dark Triad model - Narcissism, Machiavellianism and Psychopathy (Palthus, & Williams, 2002). This latter model has a growing interest in the international literature, related to dysfunctional Internet use, particularly to social networks. Therefore, the present study aimed to analyze profiles of social network users who present online disruptive behavior. For this purpose, an index was designed to assess the level of occurrence of such behaviors. First, the relationship between the intensity of online disruptive behavior and sociodemographic variables (i. e., sex, age, studies, occupation and nationality) and motives for social network use (i. e., Relationship maintenance; Passing time and Exhibitionism; Relationship Initiation and Search for companionship) were assessed. Then, the relationships among personality variables (i. e., normal, psychopathological and traits related to the dark triad); well-being (i. e., emotional, social and personal) and psychological distress (i. e., anxiety, stress and depression) were analyzed. The sample consisted of 858 adults (421 men, 49.1 % and 437 women, 50.9 %) with a mean age of 39.16 years (SD = 14.14). The majority (67.9 %; n = 583) lived in Buenos Aires, Argentina). For data collection, the following questionnaires were used: Dark Triad Scale (DTS), Big Five Inventory (BFI), Personality Disorder Inventory (PID-5-BF), the Mental Health Continuum (MHC-SF), and the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21). Additionally, two scales were designed: Online Disruptive Behavior Index, and Motives for Social Networks Use. The SPPS 24.0 statistical package was used for data analysis. Overall, the results are consistent with those reported in the international literature. Regarding sociodemographic variables, it was found that male, younger and unemployed individuals are those who presented higher level of online disruptive behavior. Considering motives for social network use, it was observed that individuals who tend to behave in a dysfunctional manner, preferred to use social networks purely for exhibitionism, pastime or relationships initiation. Regarding personality traits, those who differentiated profiles in terms of intensity of disruptive behaviors were: low levels of responsibility and high levels of disinhibition, narcissism and Machiavellianism. Thus, it might be concluded that the overall personality profile tends to be dysfunctional in terms of its characteristics. Finally, it was shown that presenting this type of behavior is associated with higher levels of stress and lower levels of social wellbeing. Therefore, it might be interpreted that although individuals who behave disruptively tend to obtain gratification from injury and deceit to others, this behavior does not result in positive results for them, but rather results in feelings of discomfort from a personal and social point of view.