Bridianne O'dea*, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia Andrew Campbell, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia Track: Research Presentation Topic: The nature and dynamics of social networks in health Presentation Type: Poster presentation Submission Type: Single Presentation Last modified: 2012-09-12

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Background: Adolescence is a phase of heightened emotional vulnerability. During this time, developmental hurdles such as puberty, cognitive restructuring and the identity crisis create a sense of confusion for many teens. This may deplete an adolescent’s coping skills and positive outlook. Disruptions in self-esteem may also result; increasing the likelihood of depression. In many instances, this can persist into adulthood. When treating emotional problems, teens show a reluctance to engage with formal sources of help. Adolescents are less likely to access traditional services due to stigma, costs and a general sense of uncertainty. Australia also suffers from a lack of professional practitioners, particularly in rural areas. Thus, informal support from friends and family makes a greater contribution during this time. As teens gain increasing independence from their parents and family, they often turn to their friends when seeking help. In recent years, social networking sites (SNS) have presented the opportunity to create and maintain informal social support. SNS have transferred social interaction into online environments; presenting a new avenue to develop interpersonal resources. SNS are a popular communication source used by the current generation of youth. Considered a social medium, these sites have the ability to build and maintain relationships and increase social capital. However, the potential of these sites to help, hinder or harm the growth of social support throughout adolescence has not yet been fully explored.
Objective: The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between social support, self-esteem and psychological distress in adolescents. It was hypothesized that online social networking would have a positive effect on these variables.
Methods: Four hundred participants (54.8% female; M = 14.3years, SD = 1.2years) completed an online survey which consisted of the Multidimensional Scale for Perceived Social Support, Self-Esteem Scale and the K6 for Psychological Distress. This survey also examined SNS use.
Results: SNS were used by 72.5% of participants. On a typical day, participants visited their SNS 2.7 times (SD: 3.9) and spent an average of 63 minutes interacting (SD: 58.4). Users of SNS (M: 21.39, SD: 5.63) reported significantly lower levels of social support from their family than non-users (M: 22.53, SD: 6.23) [p = .017]. A significant negative correlation was found between SNS time, self-esteem (r = -.146, n = 281, p <.05) and psychological distress (r = -.139, n = 281, p < .05). A significant negative correlation was also found between SNS visits and MSPSS for family (r = -.129, n = 280, p <.05). SNS time and MSPSS were found to be significant predictors of self-esteem (R = .096, F (2, 278) = 14.736, p < .001).
Conclusion: This study highlights an important relationship between SNS and social support. Contrary to the hypotheses, results suggest that SNS may have a negative impact on social support from the family. Use of SNS may increase psychological distress and have a negative impact on self-esteem. In an age where technology has become omnipresent in the social lives of young people, this study emphasizes the need for serious consideration towards the unregulated use of SNS amongst teens.