Using Facebook for Improving the Psychological Well-Being of Individuals Experiencing Homelessness: Experimental and Longitudinal Study
Other authors
Universitat Ramon Llull. Facultat de Psicologia, Ciències de l’Educació i de l’Esport Blanquerna
Publication date
2018DOI
10.2196/mental.9814
Abstract
Background: Web-based social networks are a powerful communicative element and their use is increasingly widespread.
Persons living in extreme social exclusion such as individuals experiencing homelessness can benefit from the positive elements
of communication and relationship associated with social networking sites.
Objective: This study aimed to suggest the comparison of a Facebook training course and an office software course and their
effect on psychological well-being in a group of individuals experiencing homelessness.
Methods: An experimental and longitudinal study was designed. Individuals experiencing homelessness were randomly assigned
to either the Facebook group or the office software group, and their social skills, self-esteem, self-efficacy, and satisfaction with
life were measured on 4 occasions: pretest, at the end of the training course, 1 month later, and 3 months later. A mixed analysis
of variance of repeated measures (2×4) was performed.
Results: A total of 92 individuals experiencing homelessness participated in the study. The number of cases in which the 4
measurements were completed was 71 (35 in the intervention group and 36 in the control group). The mixed analysis of variance
of repeated measures and the multiple regression analysis indicated a significant increase of the 4 analyzed parameters, with
greater significance in the areas of social skills and self-esteem. The critical levels associated to the interaction Time×Program
were significant in all variables and levels. Therefore, the scores in the 4 analyzed constructs were not equal according to the
program carried out throughout the work. The effect size associated to the interaction Time×Program in the social skills scores
was large (η2 =0.32); in the self-esteem and self-efficacy scores, it was medium, (η2 =0.13); and in the satisfaction with life scores,it was small (η2
=0.09). The results of the adjustment of the different models of multiple linear regression indicate that the number
of hours devoted weekly to the use of Facebook was a predictor of the increase in the scores of social skills (B=3.43, r
2 =.405) and self-esteem (B=.382). Age (B=.175) and self-efficacy (B=.09) were also variables, which with independence and in equal conditions, predicted self-esteem (r2 =.29). Finally, self-esteem (B=.69) was also a predictor variable of the increase of satisfaction with life (r2 =.195).
Conclusions: These findings suggest that Facebook could be a key element in homeless psychological well-being and
socialization.
Document Type
Article
Published version
Language
English
Keywords
Facebook
Xarxes socials - Aspectes psicològics
Indigents
Benestar
Pages
16 p.
Publisher
JMIR Publications
Is part of
JMIR Mental Health, Vol. 5, Núm. 4
This item appears in the following Collection(s)
Rights
© L'autor/a
Except where otherwise noted, this item's license is described as http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/