Journal Pre-proofs

Short Communication

The interplay between neuroticism, extraversion, and social media addiction in

young adult Facebook users: Testing the mediating role of online activity using
objective data

Davide Marengo, Ilaria Poletti, Michele Settanni

PII: S0306-4603(19)30652-5
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2019.106150
Reference: AB 106150

To appear in: Addictive Behaviors Addictive Behaviors

Received Date: 27 May 2019

Revised Date: 23 August 2019
Accepted Date: 30 September 2019

Please cite this article as: D. Marengo, I. Poletti, M. Settanni, The interplay between neuroticism, extraversion, and
social media addiction in young adult Facebook users: Testing the mediating role of online activity using objective
data, Addictive Behaviors Addictive Behaviors (2019), doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2019.106150

This is a PDF file of an article that has undergone enhancements after acceptance, such as the addition of a cover
page and metadata, and formatting for readability, but it is not yet the definitive version of record. This version will
undergo additional copyediting, typesetting and review before it is published in its final form, but we are providing
this version to give early visibility of the article. Please note that, during the production process, errors may be
discovered which could affect the content, and all legal disclaimers that apply to the journal pertain.

© 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

 1

Title: The interplay between neuroticism, extraversion, and social media addiction in young adult
Facebook users: Testing the mediating role of online activity using objective data.
Authors: Davide Marengoa*, Ilaria Polettia, Michele Settannia

a Department of Psychology, University of Turin, Italy

*Corresponding author:

Davide Marengo, PhD

University of Turin,
10124, Via Verdi 10
Turin, Italy
E-mail address: davide.marengo@unito.it (D. Marengo).

The interplay between neuroticism, extraversion, and social media addiction in young adult Facebook
users: Testing the mediating role of online activity using objective data.
 2

Abstract
Studies indicate neuroticism and extraversion as factors explaining individual differences in online
activity, and social media addiction. The present study investigates the hypothesis that extraversion and
neuroticism may be linked with social media addiction because of their association with higher online
posting activity. Further, we test the additional hypothesis that the level of positive social feedback
received online (i.e., number of Likes) could play a role in mediating this effect, i.e., a serial mediation
effect. Sample consisted of 1094 Facebook users, 72% females, aged 18-35. Social media activity was
assessed collecting Facebook passive data consisting of the number of posted status updates, and Likes
received during the last 12 months. Personality and social media addiction were assessed via self-report
measures. Results showed neuroticism had a direct positive association with addictive social media use,
while extraversion did not. Further, frequency of status mediated of the link between each personality
trait and addictive social media use, while received Likes mediated the link between extraversion and
addictive social media use, while no effect emerged for neuroticism. Finally, we found support for the
hypothesis of a serial mediation effect linking personality, number of status updates, received Likes,
and social media addiction. For both extroverts and neurotics, receiving positive feedback because of
increased activity was linked to an increase in the risk for social media addiction. These results
highlight the existence of different patterns of associations linking these personality traits, online
activity, and social media addiction.
Keywords
Personality; social media addiction; passive Facebook data; mediation.
 3

1. Introduction
Use of social media (SM) platforms is widespread, particularly amongst young people (Perrin &
Anderson, 2019). Among other existing platforms, Facebook remains the leading SM platform in terms
of active users (2.41 billion monthly active users as of the second quarter of 2019, Statista, 2019).
Every day, online users use Facebook to share content, which can be endorsed (“Liked”) by other users
in their online network. This interactive process produces a massive dataset of user-generated data, also
referred to as “digital footprints”, with significant connections with users’ behavioral and psychosocial
characteristics, including personality (Azucar, Marengo, Settanni, 2018; Settanni, Azucar & Marengo,
2018).
Frequent SM use is considered normative, but findings indicate that overuse of SM may lead to
a behavioral addiction (e.g., Marino et al., 2018; Ryan, Chester, Reece & Xenos, 2014). Individuals
may be inclined to overuse SM because it helps them cope with personal problems, depressive feelings,
anxiety, and stress (Andreassen et al., 2016; Koc & Gulyagci, 2013), and allows them to experience
feelings of acceptance, and social support (Scissors, Burke & Wengrovitz, 2016; Tang, Chen, Yang,
Chung & Lee, 2016). As regards Facebook, Nadkarni and Hofman (2012) identified two basic social
needs as major factors explaining SM use: the need for self-presentation, and the need to belong. Two
features of Facebook, i.e., the ability to share personal content online, and the possibility to interact
with other users and receiving feedback about own activity, appear to fulfill these needs. In turn, the
gratification of these needs activates the reward system, reinforcing continued Facebook use, and
potentially triggering SM addiction (SMA) (Montag et al., 2017; Meshi, Morawetz & Heekeren, 2013).
SMA can be defined as an excessive attachment to SM (Przepiorka & Blachnio, 2016) leading to
various negative consequences, including decline in work and academic productivity (Karaiskos,
Tzavellas, Balta and Paparrigopoulos, 2010; Paul, Baker and Cochran, 2012), relational problems
(Elphinston & Noller, 2011), and a variety of symptoms of distress (Frost & Rickwood, 2017; Marino
et al., 2018).
Studies suggest personality plays a role in explaining differences in patterns and motives for
SM use, and the risk for SMA. In particular, extraversion and neuroticism have shown consistent links
with online activity (e.g., Hamburger & Vinitzky, 2010; Kraut et al., 2002; Landers & Lounsbury,
2006). Concerning Facebook, when compared with introverted users, extraverts tend to show higher
levels of posting activity, larger online networks, and higher Likes counts (Burrow & Rainone, 2017;
Shen, Brdiczka & Liu, 2015). Neurotics also tend to show increased posting activity, such as number of
posted words, or comments, when compared with emotionally stable users, but lower number of
received Likes (Amichai-Hamamburger & Vinitzky, 2010; Burrow & Rainone, 2017; Shen et al.,
2015). Overall, the links between neuroticism and SM use are interpretable in light of a heightened
need for self-expression, which represents a way to seek social support; in turn, extraverts’ activity on
SM seems to reflect a more specific need for experiencing positive social interactions (Shen et al.,
2015). Furthermore, theoretical and empirical associations existing between extraversion, neuroticism,
and reward sensitivity (Corr, 2004; Mitchell et al. 2007), and the latter with Internet-related addictions
(He et al., 2017), suggest both personality traits may act as risk factors for SMA. However, while
previous findings have shown consistent links between neuroticism and SMA, findings concerning
extraversion are mixed (Andreassen et al., 2013; Blackwell, et al., 2017; Marino, et al, 2016; Marino,
Gini, Vieno & Spada, 2018).
A limitation of previous studies investigating correlates of SMA is the overreliance on self-
reports of SM activity, which are known to be biased (e.g., Junco, 2013). Literature using objective SM
data is scant; concerning Facebook, we could only find one study presenting the links between
objective indicators of SM activity and SMA (Marino et al., 2017). Using objective SM data permits to
avoid measurement biases typical of self-report measures (e.g., recall and social desirability), and in
 4

turn it allows to obtain better estimates of the relationships between study variables. Therefore, there
exists a need for further research employing objective SM data to study SMA.
Based on theoretical and methodological considerations, the present study aims at investigating
the links between extraversion, neuroticism, SM activity, and SMA in a sample of young adult
Facebook users. SM activity is measured using data collected from participants’ Facebook profiles (i.e.,
passive Facebook data). Extending previous findings, we tested the possible mediating role of two
specific aspects of SM activity that are linked to SMA, namely the frequency of online posting, which
reflects the need for self-expression (i.e. status updates) and the amount of positive social feedback
(i.e., Likes) received by SM users. To our knowledge, this is the first study analyzing the interplay of
personality traits and actual SM activity in influencing the risk of SMA.

2. Material and methods

2.1. Procedure and participants
We recruited participants by disseminating online the link to a web application (i.e., an
application running via browser) developed for the study. The app landing page included a form used
to provide participants with information about the research, while a Facebook login button was used to
collect informed consent and obtain authorization to access participants’ Facebook passive data.
Inclusion criteria for participation were Italian language, legal age, and an active Facebook account.
After entering the app, participants were administered questionnaires assessing study measures, while
an automated procedure collected their passive Facebook data. The university institutional review
board approved the research protocol (n° 88721).
We disseminated the application employing a snowball sampling approach, starting with a seed
sample of 10 university students. Data collection took place from March to June 2018. Eventually, we
recruited 1094 participants (305 men, 789 women; age range: 18-35, 81% aged 18-25, 19% aged 26-
35).
2.2 Passive Facebook data
We collected passive Facebook data by submitting a request through Facebook Graph
application-programming interface (API). Collected information consisted of user posts data for the 12
months prior to the survey. Based on collected data, we computed the following indicators: the total
number of status updates, and number of Likes received by participants. The mean number of status
updates was 34.56 (SD=48.32, Range=0-272, Kurtosis=4.88, Skewness=2.17), while the mean number
of received likes was 614.29 (SD=839.75, Range=0-5922, Kurtosis=8.38, Skewness=2.62).
2.3 Social media addiction
We administered the Italian Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale (BSMAS, Andreassen,
Torsheim, Brunborg, & Pallesen, 2012; Monacis, Palo, Griffiths, & Sinatra, 2016). The BSMAS
includes six items assessing six components of SM: salience, tolerance, mood modification, relapse,
withdrawal symptoms, and conflict. The items, which are rated on a 5-point scale (1=very rarely,
5=very often), can be summed to obtain a total score. For the purpose of the present study, the BSMAS
had mean score of 14.18 (SD=4.42, Range=6-28). The scale showed adequate score reliability
(McDonald’s ω=.77; Cronbach’s α=.76, 95% CI[.74, .78]).
 5

2.4 Personality traits

We administered the extraversion and neuroticism subscales of the Italian adaptation (Chiorri et
al, 2015) of the Ten-Item Personality Inventory (TIPI) questionnaire (Gosling et al., 2003), a short
validated measure assessing Big-Five personality traits. Each subscale consisted of 2 items (1 reversed)
rated on a 7-point scale ranging from 1-disagree strongly to 7-agree strongly. Subscale scores are
computed by taking the average of the two items. The mean score for extraversion was 4.08 (SD=1.42,
Range=1-7), and 3.82 (SD=1.60, Range=1-7) for neuroticism. In spite of their brevity, Extraversion
and Neuroticism subscales have shown remarkable psychometrical qualities, notably good test–retest
reliability and satisfactory concurrent validity with various measures, including the NEO-PI-R (Gosling
et al., 2003; Myszkowski, Storme & Tavani, 2019) and BFI (Chiorri et al., 2015; Myszkowski, Storme
& Tavani, 2019). However, given the low number of items, by design TIPI scales are expected to show
low reliability. As regard extraversion, reliability was adequate (McDonald’s ω=.73; Cronbach’s α=.73,
95% CI[.69, .75]), reliability was acceptable. Neuroticism showed relatively lower reliability
(McDonald’s ω=.60; Cronbach’s α=.60, 95% CI[.54, .65]).
2.5 Data analysis
We performed a serial mediation analysis via multiple linear regression. The diagram for the
mediational model is shown in Figure 1. In the model, users’ number of posts and received Likes
served as mediators of the link between personality traits and SMA. All effects and relative bias-
corrected 95% confidence intervals were estimated using non-parametric bootstrapping with 10000
samples. We used a bootstrap approach because it does not impose distributional assumption on
residuals, hence allowing for inference even if the errors do not follow normal distribution or constant
error variance (e.g., Efron & Tibshirani, 1994; Fox, 2015). In the analyses, we controlled for the effect
of gender and age. All effects were deemed significant if 95% confidence intervals did not span zero.
Indirect effect sizes were computed both as completely standardized effects (Preacher & Kelly, 2011),
and indirect-to-direct-effect ratio statistics (PM, Wen & Fan, 2015). Analyses were performed in SPSS
23 using the Process macro (Preacher & Hayes, 2004).
3. Results
Figure 1 illustrates the results of regression analyses for main effects, while the effects of
control variables are reported in the text. Results showed both extraversion and neuroticism acted as
positive predictors of the number of status updates. Age positively predicted the number of status
updates (b=20.2066, 95% CI[12.6341, 28.1773], β=0.2007), while gender (being female) did not
(b=2.3034, 95% C [-3.9989, 8.3515], β=0.0214).
As regard the number of received Likes, extraversion, and number of status updates emerged
as positive predictors, while neuroticism did not show a significant effect. Being female emerged as a
positive predictor of received Likes (b=99.0663, 95% CI[9.511, 187.9168], β=0.0529), while age
showed no significant effect (b=25.4056, 95% CI[-74.1433, 125.3353], β=0.0145).
As regards the role of personality in influencing SMA, neuroticism showed a positive direct
effect on SMA, while the effect of extraversion was not significant. Additionally, both the number of
status updates and received Likes both emerged as positive predictors of SMA. Finally, age showed a
negative effect on SMA (b=-0.9708, 95% CI[-1.5196, -0.4258], β=-0.1052), while gender showed a
non-significant effect (b=0.2024, 95% CI[-0.3889, 0.8091], β=0.0205).
Table 1 shows the results for indirect effects. As regards extraversion, all tested indirect effects
were statistically significant, supporting the existence of both simple and serial mediation effects
 6

linking the trait to SMA. Concerning neuroticism, we found the indirect effect associated with the
number of status updates to be significant, while the indirect effect passing through received Likes was
not. In contrast, the results showed a significant serial mediation effect linking neuroticism to SMA via
both the number of status updates and received Likes. With respect to the size of indirect effects, they
were small for both extraversion and neuroticism. Overall, PM statistics indicate that indirect effects
accounts for 60% and 7% of respectively the total effects of extraversion and neuroticism on SMA.

Figure 1. Diagram for the mediation model for SMA: Estimated effects and 95% (bootstrap)
confidence intervals (N =1094)

Table 1. Indirect effects of personality predicting SMA via number of status updates and received Likes
(N = 1094)
95% CI
Lower Upper Std.
Estimate PM
Route of indirect effects Bound Bound Estimate
Extraversion
→ # Status Updates → SMA 0.0367 0.0075 0.0758 0.0133 0.2378
→ # Received Likes → SMA 0.0350 0.0070 0.0688 0.0127 0.2268
→ # Status Updates → # Received Likes →
0.0208 0.0039 0.0432 0.0075 0.1348
SMA
Total indirect effect 0.0925 0.0501 0.0758 0.0335 0.5995
Neuroticism
→ # Status Updates → SMA 0.0356 0.0069 0.0743 0.0115 0.0508
→ # Received Likes → SMA -0.0076 -0.0288 0.0065 -0.0024 -0.0108
→ # Status Updates → # Received Likes →
0.0202 0.0037 0.0424 0.0065 0.0288
SMA
Total indirect effect 0.0482 0.0084 0.0902 0.0155 0.0688
Note. Bias-corrected 95% confidence intervals are presented.
 7

4. Discussion
The present study investigated the interplay between neuroticism, extraversion, SM activity,
and SMA in a sample of young adult Facebook users. Extending previous studies, we tested the role of
frequency of online posting, reflecting users’ need to self-expression, and the positive social feedback
received by other users, assessed via received Likes, as mediators of the link between personality and
SMA.
Consistent with previous studies, neuroticism showed a direct association with SMA, while
extraversion did not (e.g., Blackwell, et al., 2017; Burrow & Rainone, 2017; Marino et al, 2016). We
also found both neuroticism and extraversion were associated with a higher frequency of status
updates, which in turn mediated the link between each trait and SMA. For both traits, this mediation
effect could be interpreted in light of a heightened sensitivity to the need for self-presentation and self-
expression (Seidman, 2013), a need that Facebook use appears to fulfill, potentially increasing the risk
of SMA.
Furthermore, extraversion (but not neuroticism) showed a positive association with the number
of positive feedbacks received by the user (i.e., Likes), which in turn mediated the link between the
trait and SMA. That is, independently from their frequency of status updates, extraverts tend to
experience higher levels of positive social feedback, which in turn is reflected in an increase in SMA, a
process that is interpretable in light of extraverts’ craving for positive social interactions (Shen et al.,
2015).
Finally, we found support for the existence of a serial mediation pathway linking each
personality trait with SMA passing through both frequency of status updates, and received Likes. This
mediational pathway may be interpreted in light of theoretical associations existing between
neuroticism, extraversion, and a heightened sensitivity to rewards (Corr, 2004; Mitchell et al. 2007).
That is, both neuroticism and extraversion appear to predict higher frequency of status updates, which
in turn may result in higher levels of positive feedback (i.e., higher Likes counts), which ultimately
may promote an increase in SMA. It is worthy to note that emerging mediating effects, although
significant, appear to be quite small, but still interesting for the theoretical understanding of the
relationships between personality traits and SMA. Concurrently, the existence of a significant
interaction between personality and actual users’ experience with SM in influencing SMA highlights
the need for developing SMA prevention programs that take into account personality differences.
This study has limitations. First, the use of a non-random sample of Facebook users from Italy,
limiting generalizability of results to other countries, and SM platforms. Second, the use of a cross-
sectional data-collection design for questionnaire data limits our ability to produce causal inferences.
However, because we collected objective SM activity data, and recruited a relatively large sample of
participants, results appear quite robust. Finally, certain characteristics of used self-report instruments
(i.e., use of a general SMA scale, as opposed to a Facebook specific scale; use of a very brief
instrument for assessing personality traits), may have introduced a bias in the results. Researchers
interested in replicating our findings should consider using a Facebook-specific SMA scale, and a more
extensive personality assessment.
To conclude, the present study confirms and extend previous findings concerning the link
between personality and SMA. In particular, it highlights the existence of different patterns of
mediations linking these personality traits, two aspects of users’ experience, i.e., the ability to express
themselves and to receive positive feedback, and SMA. Future studies employing longitudinal designs
 8

might help further clarify the nature of the underlying mechanisms linking these two personality traits
and SMA.

Role of Funding Sources

The present study did not receive funding.

Contributors
Authors DM and MS designed the study and wrote the protocol. Author DM, IP, an MS conducted
literature searches and provided summaries of previous research studies. Author DM, IP, and MS
conducted the statistical analysis. Author DM and IP wrote the first draft of the manuscript and all
authors contributed to and have approved the final manuscript.

Conflict of Interest
All authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

Acknowledgements
The authors gratefully acknowledge the research assistance provided by Danny Azucar, PhD.
 9

REFERENCES

Amichai-Hamburger, Y., & Vinitzky, G. (2010). Social network use and personality. Computers in
human behavior, 26(6), 1289-1295. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2010.03.018

Andreassen, C. S., Torsheim, T., Brunborg, G. S., & Pallesen, S. (2012). Development of a Facebook
addiction scale. Psychological reports, 110(2), 501-517.
https://doi.org/10.2466/02.09.18.PR0.110.2.501-517

Andreassen, C. S., Griffiths, M. D., Gjertsen, S. R., Krossbakken, E., Kvam, S., & Pallesen, S. (2013).
The relationships between behavioral addictions and the five-factor model of personality.
Journal of behavioral addictions, 2(2), 90-99. https://doi.org/10.1556/JBA.2.2013.003

Andreassen, C. S., Billieux, J., Griffiths, M. D., Kuss, D. J., Demetrovics, Z., Mazzoni, E., & Pallesen,
S. (2016). The relationship between addictive use of social media and video games and
symptoms of psychiatric disorders: A large-scale cross-sectional study. Psychology of
Addictive Behaviors, 30(2), 252. https://doi.org/10.1037/adb0000160

Blackwell, D., Leaman, C., Tramposch, R., Osborne, C., & Liss, M. (2017). Extraversion, neuroticism,
attachment style and fear of missing out as predictors of social media use and addiction.
Personality and Individual Differences, 116, 69-72. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2017.04.039

Burrow, A. L., & Rainone, N. (2017). How many likes did I get?: Purpose moderates links between
positive social media feedback and self-esteem. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 69,
232-236. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jesp.2016.09.005

Chiorri, C., Bracco, F., Piccinno, T., Modafferi, C., & Battini, V. (2015). Psychometric properties of a
revised version of the Ten Item Personality Inventory. European Journal of Psychological
Assessment, 31, 109-119. https://doi.org/10.1027/1015-5759/a000215

Corr, P. J. (2004). Reinforcement sensitivity theory and personality. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral
Reviews, 28(3), 317-332. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2004.01.005

Efron, B., & Tibshirani, R. J. (1994). An introduction to the bootstrap. CRC press.

Elphinston, R. A., & Noller, P. (2011). Time to face it! Facebook intrusion and the implications for
romantic jealousy and relationship satisfaction. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social
Networking, 14(11), 631-635. https://doi.org/10.1089/cyber.2010.0318

Fox, J. (2015). Applied regression analysis and generalized linear models. Sage Publications.

Frost, R. L., & Rickwood, D. J. (2017). A systematic review of the mental health outcomes associated
with Facebook use. Computers in Human Behavior, 76, 576-600.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2017.08.001
 10

Gosling, S. D., Rentfrow, P. J., & Swann Jr, W. B. (2003). A very brief measure of the Big-Five
personality domains. Journal of Research in personality, 37(6), 504-528.
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0092-6566(03)00046-1

Hamburger, Y. A., & Ben-Artzi, E. (2000). The relationship between extraversion and neuroticism and
the different uses of the Internet. Computers in human behavior, 16(4), 441-449.
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0747-5632(00)00017-0

He, W., Qi, A., Wang, Q., Wu, H., Zhang, Z., Gu, R., & Luo, W. (2017). Abnormal reward and
punishment sensitivity associated with Internet addicts. Computers in Human Behavior, 75,
678-683. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2017.06.017

Junco, R. (2013). Comparing actual and self-reported measures of Facebook use. Computers in Human
Behavior, 29(3), 626-631. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2012.11.007

Karaiskos, D., Tzavellas, E., Balta, G., & Paparrigopoulos, T. (2010). P02-232-Social network
addiction: a new clinical disorder ?. European Psychiatry, 25, 855.
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0924-9338(10)70846-4

Koc, M., & Gulyagci, S. (2013). Facebook addiction among Turkish college students: The role of
psychological health, demographic, and usage characteristics. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and
Social Networking, 16(4), 279-284. https://doi.org/10.1089/cyber.2012.0249

Kraut, R., Kiesler, S., Boneva, B., Cummings, J., Helgeson, V., & Crawford, A. (2002). Internet
paradox revisited. Journal of social issues, 58(1), 49-74. https://doi.org/10.1111/1540-
4560.00248

Landers, R. N., & Lounsbury, J. W. (2006). An investigation of Big Five and narrow personality traits
in relation to Internet usage. Computers in human behavior, 22(2), 283-293.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2004.06.001

Marino, C., Finos, L., Vieno, A., Lenzi, M., & Spada, M. M. (2017). Objective Facebook behaviour:
Differences between problematic and non-problematic users. Computers in Human Behavior,
73, 541-546. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2017.04.015

Marino, C., Gini, G., Vieno, A., & Spada, M.M. (2018). A Comprehensive Meta-Analysis on
Problematic Facebook Use. Computers in Human Behavior, 83, 262-277
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2018.02.009

Marino, C., Vieno, A., Pastore, M., Albery, I. P., Frings, D., & Spada, M. M. (2016). Modeling the
contribution of personality, social identity and social norms to problematic Facebook use in
adolescents. Addictive behaviors, 63, 51-56. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2016.07.001

Meshi, D., Morawetz, C., & Heekeren, H. R. (2013). Nucleus accumbens response to gains in
reputation for the self relative to gains for others predicts social media use. Frontiers in human
neuroscience, 7, 439. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnhum.2013.00439
 11

Mitchell, J. T., Kimbrel, N. A., Hundt, N. E., Cobb, A. R., Nelson‐Gray, R. O., & Lootens, C. M.
(2007). An analysis of reinforcement sensitivity theory and the five‐factor model. European
Journal of Personality, 21(7), 869-887. https://doi.org/10.1002/per.644

Monacis, L., Palo, V. D., Griffiths, M. D., & Sinatra, M. (2016). Validation of the internet gaming
disorder scale-short-form (IGDS9-SF) in an Italian-speaking sample. Journal of behavioral
addictions, 5(4), 683-690. https://doi.org/10.1556/2006.5.2016.083

Myszkowski, N., Storme, M., & Tavani, J. L. (2019). Are reflective models appropriate for very short
scales? Proofs of concept of formative models using the Ten‐Item Personality
Inventory. Journal of personality, 87(2), 363-372. https://doi.org/10.1111/jopy.12395

Montag, C., Markowetz, A., Blaszkiewicz, K., Andone, I., Lachmann, B., Sariyska, R., ... & Weber, B.
(2017). Facebook usage on smartphones and gray matter volume of the nucleus accumbens.
Behavioural brain research, 329, 221-228. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbr.2017.04.035

Nadkarni, A., & Hofmann, S. G. (2012). Why do people use Facebook? Personality and individual
differences, 52(3), 243-249. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2011.11.007

Paul, J. A., Baker, H. M., & Cochran, J. D. (2012). Effect of online social networking on student
academic performance. Computers in Human Behavior, 28(6), 2117-2127.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2012.06.016

Perrin A., Anderson, M., (2019). Share of U.S. adults using social media, including Facebook, is
mostly unchanged since 2018. Pew Research Center. Available at:
https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2019/04/10/share-of-u-s-adults-using-social-media-
including-facebook-is-mostly-unchanged-since-2018/

Preacher, K. J., & Hayes, A. F. (2004). SPSS and SAS procedures for estimating indirect effects in
simple mediation models. Behavior research methods, instruments, & computers, 36(4), 717-
731. https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03206553

Preacher, K. J., & Kelley, K. (2011). Effect size measures for mediation models: quantitative strategies
for communicating indirect effects. Psychological methods, 16(2), 93.

Przepiorka, A., & Blachnio, A. (2016). Time perspective in Internet and Facebook
addiction. Computers in Human Behavior, 60, 13-18. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2016.02.045
0747-5632

Ryan, T., Chester, A., Reece, J., & Xenos, S. (2014). The uses and abuses of Facebook: A review of
Facebook addiction. Journal of Behavioral Addictions, 3(3), 133–148.
https://doi.org/10.1556/JBA.3.2014.016

Seidman, G. (2013). Self-presentation and belonging on Facebook: How personality influences social
media use and motivations. Personality and individual differences, 54(3), 402-407.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2012.10.009
 12

Scissors, L., Burke, M., & Wengrovitz, S. (2016, February). What's in a Like ?: Attitudes and
behaviors around receiving Likes on Facebook. In Proceedings of the 19th acm conference on
computer-supported cooperative work & social computing (pp. 1501-1510). ACM.
https://doi.org/10.1145/2818048.2820066

Shen, J., Brdiczka, O., & Liu, J. (2015). A study of Facebook behavior: What does it tell about your
Neuroticism and Extraversion? Computers in Human Behavior, 45, 32-38.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2014.11.067

Tang, J. H., Chen, M. C., Yang, C. Y., Chung, T. Y., & Lee, Y. A. (2016). Personality traits,
interpersonal relationships, online social support, and Facebook addiction. Telematics and
Informatics, 33(1), 102-108. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tele.2015.06.003

Wen, Z., & Fan, X. (2015). Monotonicity of effect sizes: Questioning kappa-squared as mediation
effect size measure. Psychological methods, 20(2), 193. https://doi.org/10.1037/met0000029
 13

 We investigate associations between personality and addictive social media use

 Neuroticism, but not extraversion, shows a direct association with addictive use
 Mediation effects are tested using objective measures of social media activity
 Extraversion and neuroticism show different patterns of mediation effects
 Serial mediation effects are found via the number of posts, and received Likes