Coping with Academic Stress through the Use of Facebook
Abstract
Given the increasing use of digital technology by college students today for a variety of purposes such as knowledge acquisition, socialization, and entertainment, this study examined college students’ use of Facebook as a strategy for coping with academic stress. A sample of 212 female college students across the United States completed a survey that measured their use of coping strategies, activities, perceived social support, and lengths of time spent on Facebook. Analysis of the data showed significant differences in college students’ use of problem-focused and avoidant coping strategies on Facebook. Furthermore, specific activities on Facebook and modes of perceived social support predicted the use of different coping strategies. Moderate correlations were found between particular coping strategies and the lengths of time spent on Facebook.
Description
Keywords
Facebook, coping strategies, academic stress, college students, social support