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Facebook: Risks and Opportunities in Brazilian and Portuguese Youths with Different Levels of Psychosocial Adjustment

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  08 August 2018

Teresa Paula Marques ,
Alexandra Marques-Pinto ,
Maria-João Alvarez  and
Cícero Roberto Pereira
Teresa Paula Marques*
Affiliation:
Universidade de Lisboa (Portugal)
Alexandra Marques-Pinto
Affiliation:
Universidade de Lisboa (Portugal)
Maria-João Alvarez
Affiliation:
Universidade de Lisboa (Portugal)
Cícero Roberto Pereira
Affiliation:
Universidade Federal da Paraíba (Brazil)
*
*Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Teresa Paula Marques. Universidade de Lisboa. Faculdade de Psicologia. 1649-013 Lisboa (Portugal). E-mail: marques.teresapaula@gmail.com
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Abstract

This study aimed to assess the risks and opportunities associated with Facebook usage and to explore the moderating role of psychosocial (mal)adjustment, nationality and age in these relationships. This correlational study involved a sample of 452 Brazilian and 500 Portuguese youths, aged between 14 and 20 years. Results showed that these youths spent a daily average of 61-120 minutes on Facebook, three to four times per week, displaying a positive attitude towards its use. These characteristics were most notable in the Brazilian youths [t(950) = 5.64, p < .001; t(950) = –5.07, p < .001; and t(950) = – 6.85, p < .001, respectively]. The Portuguese youths ran more risks than the Brazilians [t(950) = 6.36, p < .001], but both youths equally enjoyed the opportunities. In the case of the Portuguese youths, the risks and opportunities were moderated by the frequency of use, in other words “the higher the usage, the more risks and opportunities” (β = –.235 p < .001and β = –.167, p < .001, respectively). The psychosocial adjustment indicators did not moderate the effects of Facebook usage habits in risks and opportunities. The less psychosocially adjusted youths were those who ran more risks and also made the most of the opportunities. The results are discussed in light of the role of psychological, socio-cultural and developmental factors.

Keywords

adolescentFacebookrisk-takingsocial adjustmentsocial networking
Type
Research Article
Information
The Spanish Journal of Psychology , Volume 21 , 2018 , E31
Copyright
Copyright © Universidad Complutense de Madrid and Colegio Oficial de Psicólogos de Madrid 2018 

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