This study aims to investigate the effects of social networking site (SNS) separation on anxiety scores among individuals with varying levels of neuroticism, extraversion, and SNS use. It is hypothesized that SNS separation will increase anxiety scores in those with high neuroticism, low extraversion, and high SNS use. A quasi-experimental design will involve administering questionnaires to measure participants' SNS use, personality traits, and anxiety before and after a 24-hour period without SNS access. Regression analysis will examine relationships between variables, and changes in anxiety scores pre- and post-separation will be analyzed.

1. Anxiety
Associated with
SNS Separation
Orla Shanahan
N00084201
Tim McNichols

2. Introduction
 This study is an investigation into the effects of
social networking site (SNS) separation on
anxiety scores among individuals, with high
and low levels of neuroticism, extraversion
and SNS use.
 Titled: Anxiety associated with SNS separation
 Objective: to determine any changes in state
anxiety as a result of SNS separation

3. Hypotheses
 H1 a: There will be an increase in anxiety
scores, in participants with high levels of
neuroticism.
 H1 b: There will be an increase in anxiety
scores, in participants with low levels of
extraversion.
 H1 c: There will be an increase in anxiety
scores, in participants that have high levels of
SNS use.

4.  H2: Participants with high anxiety scores
will score highly in both neuroticism and
highly in SNS use.
 H3: Participants with high anxiety scores
will have both low scores in extraversion
and low SNS use.

5. The Design, Research Method
 This study has a quasi-experimental, within-subjects
design, as there will be one group, assigned to
complete a separation period –partially in the
participants’ own environment.
 It is a quantitative, questionnaire based study.
 The Independent variables include:
 The participants’ SNS use.
 The participants’ personality types.
 The time twenty-four hour time period that participants
refrain from accessing their social network.
 The dependent variable:
 Participants’ state anxiety levels.

6. Participants
 Fifty participants (n=50) will be recruited via method
of convenience sampling and personal appeal.
 Within subject pps.
 18+
 both genders.
 Students from the IADT will be asked to take part in
the study.
 Participants will be recruited via personal appeal,
through Internet advertisement (e.g. Email).

7. Materials
 2 Booklets
 1st Booklet:
 SNS use survey.
 The Big Five Inventory (BFI) (John, Naumann, & Soto, 2008) ,
neuroticism and extraversion.
 The Spielberg State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) (Spielberger,
Gorsuch, &Lushene, 1964) S-scale (form Y-1).
 Second Booklet:
 Instructions sheet.
 STAI (Y-1).
 An evalution form, to acquire qualitative feedback for the
discussion aspect of the written report.
 Other materials: consent forms, briefing, debriefing.

8. Procedure
 Data collection starting in January.
 Experiment will be initiated in either classroom setting or
external environment.
 Participants will be briefed & consent obtained.
 Participants will be administered two booklets.
 The first to be completed at the start of the experiment.
 24-hour separation period.
 The second booklet is to be completed 10 minutes prior to the
end of the separation period.
 Debrief

9. Proposed Data Analysis
 H1(a,b,c) will be analyzed by dependent t-
tests, -1 group tested twice.
 H2+ H3: Inferential stats: Interval scales
denoting multiple regression analyses (Y = a +
b1*X1 + b2*X2 + ... + bp*Xp)
 Thepurpose of multiple regression is to learn
more about the relationship between several
independent (or predictor variables) and a
dependent or criterion variable.

10.  Descriptivestats: measures of central
tendency (mean) of variables (SNS use)
represented in tabulated/graphical
description -histograms.
 Multiple
Regression represented in 3-D
scatterplot

11. Representation

12. Critical Reflection
Previous research:
 looked at anxiety and cell phone separation (Siggins,
2010)
Limitations:
 Consistency of personality. Participants may be
experiencing state anxiety due to a temporary outside
circumstance (e.g. impending presentation).
 Participants voluntarily giving up access to their SNS
profile; not possible to verify that participants did not
log on to their SNS profile.
 Data will be obtained in the participants own
environment during the separation period and so
external stimuli is out of the control of the experimenter

13. References
 John, O. P., Naumann, L. P., & Soto, C. J. (2008).
Paradigm shift to the integrative Big Five trait
taxonomy: History, measurement, and conceptual
issues. In O. P. John, R. W. Robins, & L. A. Pervin (Eds.),
Handbook of personality: Theory and research (pp.
114-158). New York, NY: Guilford Press.
 Siggins, M. MA (2010). A Study of Anxiety Associated
with mobile phone separation.
 Spielberg, C. D., Gorsuch, R. L., Lushene, R., Vagg, P.
R., & Jacobs, G. P., (1983). State- Trait Anxiety
Inventory for Adults. CA, Mind Garden.

14. Thank You
Any Questions?