The Role of SNS Users Motivations on SNS Engagement, Social Capital, and Subjective Well-being

The Role of SNS Users Motivations on SNS Engagement, Social Capital, and Subjective Well-being

Social network sites (SNSs) have proven within a very short time to serve as important tools for social communication and interaction. The literature on SNS use and user behavior has not adequately addressed the role of user motivations in generating SNS engagement, social capital, or subjective well-being. Based on survey data (N=715) in Korea, the results revealed that SNS users motivations played an important role in the formation of SNS engagement as well as in generating social capital. The study found that SNS engagement is mediated by SNS user motivations and social capital building, and also that social capital building and subjective well-being are mediated by engagement and user motivations. Theoretical and practical implications and limitations are discussed.