Reexamining Preference for Online Social Interaction: Compulsion and Close Interactants as Moderators for Positive and Negative Outcomes

Abstract

Preference for online social interaction (POSI) has primarily been studied as an aspect of problematic Internet use and as an antecedent to negative outcomes of Internet use. This study examines the potential that POSI alternatively or additionally contributes to positive outcomes. Two moderators are proposed for situations when POSI may contribute to negative and positive outcomes: compulsive Internet use and frequency of interaction with strangers and close partners. An online questionnaire was used to test these moderators. Although the results show no significant interaction effects, the study finds that POSI is associated with positive outcomes of Internet use (but not negative outcomes), compulsive Internet use contributes to negative outcomes, and more frequent online interaction with both strangers and close partners contributes to positive outcomes.