Date of Paper

5-2012

Type of Paper

Clinical research paper

Degree Name

Master of Social Work (M.S.W.)

Department

Social Work

First Advisor

Kari Fletcher

Department/School

Social Work

Abstract

In America today, adolescents are the most "wired in" group of individuals and the most well positioned to utilize new technologies. As technology expands and the use of the computer as a medium of communication increases, adolescents begin to use the internet to maintain more of their friendships through social media such as Facebook. The ability to stay socially connected is something that adolescents rely on and largely determines their self-esteem development as adolescents. This study examined how the use of Facebook plays a role in development of self-esteem and well-being in 13, 14, and 15 year old adolescents. Using a quantitative research design, participants of this study utilized skills of self-evaluation to answer an online survey comprised of 26 questions. Thirty (n=30) respondents were recruited through the use of an online bulletin article, Facebook event page and after school community youth program. Data was analyzed and descriptive and inferential statistics we used. Findings demonstrated that respondent groups value their ability to stay socially connected, and associate positive feelings with functions of Facebook such as photo tagging, friend requests, status updates and private messages. Respondents indicated that their Facebook friend networks were dominated by individuals they know in their life offline. They also indicated that they associate positive feelings with both their offline friend groups and Facebook friend networks. Implications for clinical social work practice and future research were discussed based on the findings of the study.

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