Women who “base their self worth on appearance” use Facebook as a way to cope with image and self-esteem issues, according to a study published in “Cyberphycology, Behavior and Social Network” in early March.
The University of Buffalo study, “Contingencies of Self-Worth and Social-Networking-Site Behavior,” asked 311 people, half of whom were women, to fill out a questionnaire measuring in part whether they base their self worth on physical appearance or academic success.
The researchers found that women who value image and appearance post more pictures on Facebook and manage their profile more often, while those who value academic achievements spend less time online.
The study suggested that “women are more likely to use online tools to maintain or extend their social networks than their counterparts.”
One reason for this, according to the study, is that “females have specific communication goals, including fostering community and avoiding isolation, while males are more likely to pursue social positioning through communication.”
Those with more photos typically had a larger network of friends on Facebook as well, with female participants reporting “significantly larger networks of strong ties, as expected.”
Women who post excessive amounts of photos try to generate a public image to friends and family and enhance the existence of personal relationships, according to the study. It may also signal a desire to create new relationships and impress their “friends.”
Boston University professor Stefan Hofmann is conducting a literature review examining the relationship between social relationships and Facebook usage with Boston Medical Center resident physician Ashwini Nadkarni.
The researchers began by gathering empirical data associated with the amount of BU students’ Facebook usage.
“We conducted a systematic review of the literature and found that high levels of extraversion, neuroticism and narcissism, and low levels of self-esteem and self-worth are associated with high Facebook usage,” Hofmann said.
The study’s results did not surprise Nadkarni, who agreed that outdoing others has been shown to explain excessive photo-sharing on Facebook.
Some BU students agreed that most people who post excessively have low self-esteem.
“There is always a need for people to put themselves out there,” said David LeHouillier, a freshman in the College of Arts and Sciences. “[Facebook] is a market for themselves.”
Facebook is a competition, said CAS freshman Emily Southard, who said she remembers her friends racing to get the highest number of Facebook friends.
Others said that people may also use Facebook as a crutch.
“Some people don’t necessarily have the social skills to act in real life, so they try to make up for it online,” Southard said.
Other students said they disagreed with the relevance of the study because they said people are as focused on their online image as they are with the image they present in everyday life.
“I don’t see how it’s any different than any other social networking, either online or in real life,” said Charlie Cox, a senior in CAS. “You’re always trying to present yourself in a positive image, and obviously Facebook is just a medium through which we can do that.”
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