TITLE:
Passion and Self-Determination: Exploring Social Networking Site Addiction Using a Dualistic Framework
AUTHORS:
Srikant Manchiraju, Amrut Sadachar
KEYWORDS:
Behavioral Addictions, SNS Addiction, Passion, Self-Determination, Basic Psychological Needs
JOURNAL NAME:
Social Networking,
Vol.7 No.3,
July
18,
2018
ABSTRACT: The purpose of the present study is to explore the role of behavioral/psychological
constructs of passion and self-determination in the context of social
networking site (SNS) addiction. The present study explored SNS addiction by
employing a dualistic framework, which is an amalgam of the dualistic model
of passion ([13]) and the self-determination theory (SDT; [14]). Data were
collected through an online survey administered by a market research company
based in the USA (N = 312). The survey consisted of items related to key
constructs related to the research framework proposed (e.g., harmonious and
obsessive passion). All the items included in the survey were 7-point Likerttype
questions. Additionally, data related to demographics and Internet usage
were collected. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was employed to explore
the relationships between passion typologies, self-determination, and SNS addiction.
Structural Equation Modeling showed that harmonious passion was
positively related to autonomy and relatedness, but was negatively related to
competence. Obsessive passion was negatively related to autonomy, competence,
and relatedness. Competence and relatedness were negatively related to
SNS addiction. Obsessive passion positively influenced SNS addiction, whereas,
contrary to the expectation, harmonious passion also positively influenced
SNS addiction. Obsessive passion towards SNS predicted SNS addiction
via three basic psychological needs, namely, autonomy, competence, and relatedness.
The present study draws upon concepts of positive psychology to
understand SNS addiction. The proposed theoretical framework explained
86% of the variance in terminal construct, which is SNS addiction.