The Relationship Between Self-Concept and Online Self-Presentation in Adults
Affiliation.
- 1 School of Psychology, University College Dublin, Belfield, Ireland.
- PMID: 31794254
- DOI: 10.1089/cyber.2019.0328
Self-presentation is the process by which we portray ourselves to others to make a desired impression. Traditionally, self-presentation has been studied in face-to-face interaction. However, social media platforms have shifted how people exchange information. For example, personal content can be edited before posting online, giving the individual more control over their presentation. With this shift and the widely adapted use of social media, it is desirable to study self-presentation in online settings. The aim of this study was to broaden the understanding of self-concept as a predictor of online self-presentation by expanding upon previous research with adolescents by instead using a young adult sample. Two hundred thirty participants aged between 18 and 35 years completed the Self-Concept Clarity Scale and the Presentation of Online Self Scale (POSS). Factor analysis of the POSS revealed that with a young adult sample, the factor labeled the "Ideal Self" was distributed into the other three factors: "Multiple Selves," "Consistent Self," and "Online Presentation Preference." In addition, a significant positive correlation was found between age and self-concept. However, when controlling for age, self-concept was the best predictor of online self-presentation. Individuals with a lower self-concept were more likely to present discrepancies between their offline and online self. This study supports previous research findings that self-concept plays an important role in online self-presentation. Finally, it presents the idea that the concept of an "ideal self" adjusts into young adulthood.
Keywords: self-concept; self-presentation; social media; social networking.
- Factor Analysis, Statistical
- Self Concept*
- Self Disclosure*
- Social Media*
- Social Networking
- Young Adult
COMMENTS
The Presentation of Online Self Scale (POSS) is an established psychometric tool used to measure how an individual presents oneself in online environments. The POSS was originally used with an adolescent sample.
The Presentation of Online Self Scale (POSS; [17]) was used to assess how an individual presents themself in online environments. This is a widely used scale in the measurement of online self-presentation.
Scale and the Presentation of Online Self Scale (POSS). Adolescents possessing a less stable sense of self reported experimenting with online self-presentation more regularly, presenting an idealised version of the self and a preference for presenting themselves online. Adolescents
Drawing on theories of self-presentation and self development, this study explores changes in youth’s online self-presentation during their transition to a residential college.
self-monitoring, self-esteem, social anxiety, self-concept clarity, and presentation of online self. The Self-Concept Clarity Scale17 is a 12-item scale that assesses consistency, stability and confidence of self-beliefs and is rated on a 5-point Likert scale (strongly disagree to strongly agree).
Two hundred thirty participants aged between 18 and 35 years completed the Self-Concept Clarity Scale and the Presentation of Online Self Scale (POSS). Factor analysis of the POSS revealed that with a young adult sample, the factor labeled the "Ideal Self" was distributed into the other three factors: "Multiple Selves," "Consistent Self," and ...