The use of Facebook by Turkish mothers: its reasons and outcomes

Abstract

Objectives: Parents use social network sites for reasons related to bridging and bonding social capital, and entertainment. The aim of the present study was to examine whether the use of Facebook by Turkish mothers and its reasons are related to mothers’ demographic characteristics, anxiety level and perceived social support. It also examined whether mothers’ Facebook use contributes to their perception of their parental role. Methods: Three hundred thirty-two middle-class Turkish mothers who reported to use Facebook completed the demographic information questionnaire, the use of social media questionnaire, the anxiety inventory, the perceived social support scale and the self-perception of parental role questionnaire. Results: Results indicated that Turkish mothers use Facebook more for reasons related to bridging social capital than reasons related to bonding social capital and entertainment. The frequency of using Facebook and the length of time having an account predicted the use of Facebook for reasons related to bridging and bonding social capital. Anxiety level predicted the use of Facebook for reasons related to entertainment. Mothers’ Facebook use was found not to be related to their self-perceived parental competence. Conclusions: The discussion of these findings in terms of Turkish culture implied the need for cross-cultural studies for a better understanding of parents’ use of social network sites.