The Relationships between Personality Characteristics, Facebook Use, and Depressive Symptoms among Bedouin Arab and Jewish Young Adults in Israel

Abu-Kaf, S. (Ben-Gurion University of the Negev)

Mailto: aks@bgu.ac.il

Abstract

Social networking sites play an important role in the life of many young adults around the world. An increasing body of research is interested in the relationships between personality characteristics and online social networking. This study investigated the relationships between personality vulnerabilities (self-criticism and dependency) and patterns of online social networking in two cultural contexts (Jewish Israeli and Bedouin Arab). The contributions of these factors to predictions of depressive symptoms were also examined. This cross-sectional study involved 250 Jewish and Bedouin Arab young adults. Participants completed a demographic questionnaire, the Depressive Experiences Questionnaires, a questionnaire on Facebook usage patterns, and the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale. Among the Bedouin Arabs, self-criticism was negatively associated with privacy settings and sharing, but positively associated with posting on the walls of others and posting about formal affairs or achievements. Among the Jewish participants, self-criticism was found to be positively associated with use of the “share” button, uploading photos, membership in more Facebook groups, activity in Facebook events, and posting on the walls of others. Moreover, among the Jewish group, dependency was found to be positively related to spending more time on Facebook, posting on the walls of others, use of the “like” button, and uploading photos of family, social events, food, and art. This pattern between dependency and Facebook use was not found among Bedouin Arabs. While Self-criticism was the strongest predictor of depression symptoms among both groups, posting statuses, sharing, and not commenting on photos posted by others had different contribution in each cultural group.

This research highlights the relationships between personality characteristics and the management of online social relationships in different cultural contexts. This study also underscores the roles of self-criticism and specific patterns of Facebook use as predictors of depressive symptoms.