1. INTRODUCTION Research suggests that use of online social networking sites (SNS) can have positive and negative effects on users. The way that individuals use SNS may impact the extent to which users experience positive or negative effects from SNS. This study aimed to expand upon existing literature to understand how the frequency of SNS usage, SNS engagement behavior, and the number of SNS to which one belongs is associated with loneliness and sense of community in a non- college student sample. We hypothesized that the frequency of SNS usage would be related to greater feelings of loneliness and a lower sense of community. We hypothesized that greater use of active engagement behaviors would be associated with less loneliness and a greater sense of community, whereas greater use of passive engagement behaviors would be associated with more loneliness and less sense of community. Lastly, we explored whether participants’ total number of SNS would be associated with loneliness and/or sense of community. METHOD Procedure This is a secondary analysis from a cluster randomized controlled trial that aimed to test whether the SNS (Meetup TM ) could be used to deliver a multicomponent intervention and increase physical activity in sedentary dog owners. Participants were scheduled for an in-person screening where they provided written informed consent, completed a medical history form and a physical activity questionnaire, and received an activity monitor to wear for 7 days. After 7 days, eligible participants completed baseline measures. Since the current study examined frequency and SNS engagement behavior, only participants who reported belonging to a SNS were included in these analyses. Since exploratory analyses examined the impact of number of SNS on loneliness and sense of community and non-SNS users could be included as they belong to zero SNS, both SNS users and non-users were included in these analyses. (see Table 1 for participant demographics). Linear regression analyses were conducted to understand how the frequency of SNS usage, SNS engagement behavior, and the number of SNS to which one belongs are associated with loneliness and sense of community. Annual household income, race, and age were included in the model as covariates when correlated with loneliness or sense of community. Measures Online Social Networking Questionnaire: Frequency of SNS: Participants rated their frequency of usage across 11 different SNS. Reviewed the frequency of each SNS participants reported using and selected the highest SNS frequency. SNS Engagement Behavior: Participant’s rated the frequency with which they used 9 active engagement behaviors and 6 passive engagement behaviors for each SNS they use. Average active engagement and passive engagement scores were calculated. Number of SNS: The SNS participants indicated using were summed to calculate their total number of SNS. (see Table 2) UCLA Loneliness Scale: This 20-item scale measured subjective feelings of loneliness and social isolation. Coefficient α = 0.91 for the current study. Sense of Community Index II (SCI-2): This 24-item scale assessed psychological sense of community and is comprised of four interconnected elements: membership, influence, fulfillment of needs, and shared emotional connection. Coefficient α = 0.94 for the current study. Examination of how Usage Frequency, Engagement Behavior, and Number of Social Networking Sites are Associated with Loneliness and Sense of Community Daniel M. Kern M.S. & Kristin L. Schneider Ph.D. Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science CONCLUSION Results confirmed our hypothesis that active SNS engagement behavior would be associated with a greater sense of community, which is consistent with other cross-sectional and longitudinal studies in which active engagement behavior was associated with greater emotional support, increased strength of friendships, and increased feelings of connectedness to friends in adult and college-aged samples. Individuals who participate in active engagement behaviors on SNS, compared to those who endorse more passive SNS use, may have greater capability to sustain connection and induce feelings of cohesiveness through frequent interactions with others, which may enhance their sense of community. The current study’s preliminary findings highlight the need for future research to examine whether promoting more active engagement on SNS could improve one’s sense of community. Table 2: Table 1: SNS Users only (n=73) SNS Users and Non-users (n=100) M (SD) Age45.19 (11.7)48.29 (12.9) N (%) Sex Male14 (19.2)23 (23) Female59 (80.8)77 (77) Ethnicity Caucasian 63 (86.3)87 (87) Hispanic 4 (5.5)6 (6) Multi-ethnic 3 (4.1)3 (3) Other3 (4.1)4 (4) Marital Status Single 12 (16.4)15 (15) Married / Living as Married51 (69.9)66 (66) Divorced/Separated/Widow ed10 (13.7)19 (19) Highest Grade in School Completed Less than a Bachelor’s degree 26 (35.6)35 (35) Bachelor’s degree 19 (26.0)24 (24) More than a Bachelor’s degree 28 (38.4)41 (41) Annual Household Income $0 - $30,000 8 (11)14 (14) $30,000 - $50,00 15 (20.5)24 (24) $50,000 - $75,000 13 (17.8)19 (19) Over $75,000 37 (50.7)43 (43) RESULTS Frequency of SNS: Frequency of SNS usage was not significantly associated with loneliness: B = 0.068, 95% CI = -0.006 to 0.142, t = 1.836, p=. 071. Frequency of SNS usage was not significantly associated with sense of community: B = 0.381, 95% CI = -.807 to 1.569, t =.640, p=. 525. SNS Engagement Behavior: Active engagement was not significantly associated with loneliness: B = -0.082, 95% CI = -.386 to.222, t = -.541, p =.590, nor passive engagement and loneliness: B = 0.093, 95% CI = -.155 to.340, t =.747, p=.458. Active engagement behavior was significantly associated with sense of community: B = 4.846, 95% CI =.280 to 9.412, t = 2.118, p=. 038. For every one standard deviation increase in use of active engagement strategies, sense of community increased by 0.359 standard deviations. The effect size for active engagement behavior was R 2 =.05, indicating a small effect size. Passive engagement behavior was not associated with sense of community: B = -2.642, 95% CI = -6.316 to 1.031, t = -1.435, p=.156. Number of SNS: Number of SNS was not significantly associated with loneliness: B = 0.022, 95% CI = -0.071 to 0.115, t = 0.475, p=. 636. Number of SNS was not significantly associated with sense of community: B = 0.672, 95% CI = -1.028 to 2.371, t = 0.784, p=. 435. Number of SNS Participants Reported Using (N=100)N% Zero27 One33 Two23 Three99 Four44 Five or more44 Social Networking Characteristics (N=73)MSD SNS Frequency4.892.08 Number of SNS2.001.33 Social Networking Activity Frequency (N=73)MSD Active Engagement Activities Reply to someone else’s post2.471.58 Send a private message to friends1.711.44 Post a status update1.631.5 Post a picture1.191.08 Tag people in posts, photos, or videos0.961.14 Post a website 0.711.27 Contact someone from my work0.681.07 Join a group0.480.58 Create and invite people to an event0.330.71 Passive Engagement Activities Look at other’s pictures2.341.37 Check on a friend2.041.47 Check on a family member1.961.45 Click on a website1.841.62 Watch video1.251.36 Play a game1.11.78 Social Networking Sites (N=73)N% Facebook6994.5 LinkedIn3345.21 Twitter1013.7 Google Plus+810.96 Meetup79.59 MySpace79.59 Pinterest79.59 Flicker45.48 myYearbook11.37 Participant Demographic Characteristics Online Social Networking Characteristics Note. M= Mean; SD= standard deviation; N= number of individuals; %= percentage of total sample. Social networking activities were rated using a 6-point scale where 1=never and 6=several times a day. FUNDING SOURCE This study was funded by a pilot project to Dr. Schneider (5UL1RR031982-02) from the University of Massachusetts Medical School’s Center for Clinical and Translational Studies, which is funded by the National Institute of Health. The clinical trial is registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov (#NCT01593449).