An Exploration of the Relationships between Facebook Use and Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQOL) among College Students in Taiwan
Date Issued
2015
Date
2015
Author(s)
Chen, Huei-Jen
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Facebook has become inextricably intertwined with our daily lives, especially among college students. Facebook use has also been found to be associated with our well-being. However, little is known about the effects of Facebook use on our overall health-related quality of life (HRQOL). This study aimed to examine the associations between Facebook use and HRQOL among college students in Taiwan. Methods: Survey data were collected from 1,598 college students in northern Taiwan (response rate=97.4%), using the proportional stratified cluster sampling method. The survey inquired about Facebook usage patterns and specific activities. HRQOL was assessed by World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL-BREF) Taiwan version. Multivariate linear regression was used to examine the associations between Facebook use and the 4 HRQOL domain scores. Results: The mean score of WHOQOL-BREF was 14.15, 13.24, 13.76, and 14.20 in the physical health, psychological, social relationships, and environment domain, respectively. College students who checked their Facebook updates less frequently than every 2 hours (β = .108) and uploaded photos less than 4 days per week (β = .080) reported significantly better physical health. Those accessing Facebook mostly in the morning (β = .058) and evening (β = .063), having more Facebook friends (β = .084), and uploading photos less than 4 days per week (β = .067) also reported better psychological health. However, spending 2 hours or more per day on Facebook via computers (β = -.097), setting their privacy level to “only me” (β = -.073), and “checking in” 4 days or more per week (β = -.069) were significantly associated with lower psychological HRQOL. Further, those accessing Facebook mostly during the evening (β = .071), having more Facebook friends (β = .118), and chatting with others 4 days or more per week (β = .086) reported higher HRQOL in social relationships, whereas those selecting “restricted” privacy settings (β = -.066) and “checking in” 4 days or more (β = -.065) reported lower HRQOL in this domain. Lastly, those browsing their Facebook “home” page 4 days or more per week (β = .075) and setting their privacy level to “only me” (β = -.081) reported significantly higher and lower environment HRQOL, respectively. Conclusions: This study found several basic Facebook usage patterns and specific activities that were significantly associated with HRQOL in different domains among college students. Notably, engaging in specific Facebook activities related to self-disclosure in moderation appeared to improve HRQOL, but excessive use might harm one’s health. More research is needed to illuminate their causal mechanisms and to help find ways to harness Facebook as an effective channel to enhance HRQOL.
Subjects
Facebook
Health-related quality of life (HRQOL)
College students
Taiwan
Type
thesis
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