Why Do Women Bloggers Use Social Media? Recreation and Information Motivations Outweigh Engagement Motivations
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-2015
School
Psychology
Abstract
Analyses of survey results from a random sample of women bloggers (N = 298) show three motivations drive women to use social media – information, engagement, and recreation. The recreation motivation outweighs the other two motivations in predicting frequency of social media use. However, when differences between Facebook, Twitter, and other social media were considered, results show women bloggers turn to social media in general for recreation, but to Facebook for engagement and to Twitter for information. Findings also show that psychological needs for affiliation and self-disclosure are related to the engagement motivation, and self-disclosure is associated with the information motivation. The results are discussed in relation to need theory.
Publication Title
New Media and Society
Volume
17
Issue
1
First Page
24
Last Page
40
Recommended Citation
Chen, G.
(2015). Why Do Women Bloggers Use Social Media? Recreation and Information Motivations Outweigh Engagement Motivations. New Media and Society, 17(1), 24-40.
Available at: https://aquila.usm.edu/fac_pubs/18746