Social networking site involvement and social life satisfaction: the moderating role of information sharing

Purpose Previous studies have produced mixed findings regarding the relationship between social networking site (SNS) use and psychological outcomes. To provide new evidence on this relationship, this study investigates the influence of SNS involvement on psychological outcomes. This study also examines the moderating role of information sharing on the link between SNS involvement and relationship quality and that between SNS involvement and social life satisfaction. Design/methodology/approach This study investigates a sample of 383 Facebook users in Vietnam. Structural equation modeling is performed to test the theoretical model and research hypotheses. Findings Results show that SNS involvement positively influences information sharing, relationship quality and social life satisfaction. In addition, information sharing positively affects relationship quality, which in turn is positively related to social life satisfaction. Moreover, information sharing positively moderates the link between SNS involvement and relationship quality but negatively moderates that between SNS involvement and social life satisfaction. Originality/value This study sheds a new light on the effect of SNS involvement on psychological outcomes. Specifically, the findings of this study help clarify the influence of SNS involvement on social life satisfaction. Furthermore, this study provides evidence on the moderating mechanism of information sharing on the link between SNS involvement and psychological outcomes. The findings can help SNS users and administrators make better decisions in their SNS engagement.