ResultsA majority of respondents (67.4%) reported using Facebook daily to several times a day. Respondents that had never used Facebook were omitted from analyses. Respondents reporting excessive number of friends (N=1027 or greater) were considered outliers and omitted from analyses. The remaining 284 participants had an average of 287 Facebook friends (SD=229).

Facebook Use and Number of Facebook Friends were categorized into thirds (lower, middle, upper and few, moderate, and many friends respectively). Both variables were analyzed in a two-way multivariate analysis of variance. Results displayed in Table 1 and Table 2 indicated:

• There was a difference between low and high level Facebook use in participants with increased narcissism [F(2, 255) = 3.82, p = .023].

• There was a difference in amount of Facebook friends and increased narcissism [F(2, 255) = 4.92, p=.008], increased histrionic personality [F(2, 255) = 8.90, p <. 001], and increased schizoid personality scores [F(2,255) = 4.02, p = .019].

• Individuals with increased Facebook use were more narcissistic [r(263) = .18, p <. 01].

• Those with more Facebook friends were more narcissistic [r(284) = .20, p <. 001], and had increased histrionic personality scores [r(284) = .23, p <. 001].

• Those with fewer Facebook friends showed increased schizoid personality scores, [r(284) = -.20, p < .001], and increased avoidant personality scores [r(284) = -.14, p = .015].

Tab

le

1Ta

ble

2

Facebook Use Associations with Two Groups of Personality DisordersChristian Somoza & Larry Rosen, Ph.D.

Psychology DepartmentCalifornia State University Dominguez Hills

Facebook Use Associations with Two Groups of Personality DisordersChristian Somoza & Larry Rosen, Ph.D.

Psychology DepartmentCalifornia State University Dominguez Hills

IntroductionResearchers have noted that real-world social network structure and support are associated with psychological well-being (McLanahan, Wedemeyer, & Adelberg, 1983). More recently the “virtual” self-presentation and number of online social network friends has been linked to subjective well-being (Kim & Lee, 2011). Further, narcissism scores have been found to be associated with increased Facebook interaction (Buffardi & Campbell, 2008) indicating a strong link between individual Facebook profiles and actual offline affects. The current study analyzes the relationship between Facebook use and number of Facebook friends with two groups of personality disorders: those characterized by need for attention and closeness (Narcissistic, Histrionic, and Dependent Personality Disorders) and those characterized with avoidance and suspiciousness of close social relationships (Paranoid, Schizoid, Schizotypal, and Avoidant Personality Disorders).

MethodsParticipants (N=326) were recruited by a senior psychology class to complete an anonymous, online survey. More that half of the participants were female (60.7%, N=198). Participant ethnicity included: Hispanic (43.9%), Caucasian (27.9%), Asian (14.1%), African-American (9.8%), and other (4.3%). All participants used in analyses indicated holding an active Facebook profile. The Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory-III was used to assess psychological disorders.

The questionnaire was administered through the Survey Monkey website. Consent was given and required to advance to questionnaire page. The current study analyzes the relationship between Facebook use and number of Facebook friends with two groups of personality disorders: those characterized by need for attention and closeness (Narcissistic, Histrionic, and Dependent Personality Disorders) and those characterized with avoidance and suspiciousness of close social relationships (Paranoid, Schizoid, Schizotypal, and Avoidant Personality Disorders).

ReferencesAmerican Psychiatric Association. (2000). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th ed., text rev.). Washington, DC: Author.

Buffardi, L.E. & Campbell, W.K. (2008). Narcissism and Social Networking Web Sites. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 34, 1303-1314.

Kim, J & Lee, J.R. (2011). The Facebook Paths to Happiness: Effects of the Number of Facebook Friends and Self-

Presentation on Subjective Well-Being. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, 14(6), 359-364.

McLanahan, S.S., Wedemeyer, N.V., & Adelberg, T. (1981). Network Structure, Social Support, and Psychological Well-Being in the Single-Parent Family. Journal of Marriage and Family, 43(3), 601-612.

Hypotheses• Increased scores in “attention/closeness” personality disorders

will be associated with increased Facebook use and number of Facebook friends.

• Increased scores in “avoidance/suspiciousness” personality disorders will be associated with decreased Facebook use and number of Facebook friends.

DiscussionIndividuals that use Facebook demonstrate higher narcissism. This may be result of characteristic need for admiration and use of friends to promote self-esteem (APA, 2000). Future research may probe whether Facebook use is maladaptive or if it is simply a marker for narcissism. Both increased narcissism and histrionic scores were associated with increased number of Facebook friends. Possible explanations may include key characteristics involving the need for admiration or attention seeking.

Those with higher schizoid and avoidant scores reported less Facebook friends. Social detachment and social inhibition respectively may cause individuals to maintain lower number of friends. Further research should account for individual features in personality disorders when comparing Facebook usage. Indeed, Facebook and social networks in general may provide a secondary avenue for clinicians to supplement personality disorder diagnosis.

AcknowledgementsLarry Rosen, Ph.D.

George Marsh Applied Cognition Laboratory

California State University Dominguez Hills, Psychology Department

McNair Scholars Program

Table 1. Two-Way ANOVA (Facebook Use x Number Facebook Friends)

Psychological DisordersGeneral Facebook Use

Low/Medium/High(Significance Level)

Number of Facebook Friends Low/Medium/High

(Significance Level)

Interaction(Significance Level)

Narcissism

Histrionic

Dependent

.023*

ns

ns

.008**

<.001**

ns

ns

ns

ns

Paranoid

Schizoid

Schizotypal

Avoidant

ns

ns

ns

ns

ns

.019*

ns

ns

ns

ns

ns

ns

Table 2.Correlations Between Facebook Use/Friends and Psychological DisordersFacebook Variables Narcissism Histrionic Dependent Paranoid Schizoid Schizotypal Avoidant

Facebook Use.175**

.004

.077

ns

.097

ns

.104

ns

.062

ns

.062

ns

.028

ns

Correlation

Sig. Level

Number of Facebook Friends

.199**

.001

.231**

<.001

-.001

ns

.014

ns

-.196**

.001

.031

ns

-.144*

.015

Correlation

Sig. Level