Relação entre adição ao Facebook, distress psicológico e intimidade relacional percebida em diferentes fases da vida adulta durante a pandemia COVID-19

Abstract

Introduction: The addition to Facebook has been seen as a potential behavioral addition, being associated with psychological distress, relational intimacy at different stages of adulthood. The current pandemic situation (Covid-19) may intensify this association. Objectives: Explore the relationship between addition to Facebook, psychological distress and perceived relational intimacy at different stages of adulthood during the COVID-19 pandemic. Sample: The study included 208 subjects of both sexes, aged between 20 and 64 years, who completed Bergen Facebook Addition Scale, Anxiety Depression and Stress Scale and Relational Intimacy Assessment Scale. Results: The addition to Facebook correlates with psychological distress and perceived relational intimacy, about personal validation, communication, and social desirability. Statistically significant differences were found depending on the age group in the addition to Facebook in adults. There were also significant differences in the existence or not of addition to Facebook due to the level of education in the most educated, between the time spent during the weekend and the addition to Facebook. Conclusion: Psychological distress and relational intimacy stood out throughout the study as important factors for the addition to Facebook and for greater use of social networks and the Internet. It is understood the need for researchers and psychologists to prevent and/or treat the undesirable consequences of adding to Facebook, as well as the opportunity to meet and cooperate with the evolution of technologies.

Date of Award	12 May 2022
Original language	Portuguese
Awarding Institution	Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Supervisor	Berta Rodrigues Maia (Supervisor)