The relationship between Internet use and self-concept clarity: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

There are three hypotheses regarding the relationship between Self-Concept Clarity (SCC) and Internet use. It was argued that Internet use: 1) decreases SCC, 2) increases SCC, 3) does not relate with SCC. The present study, in the form of a systematic and meta-analytic synthesis, aimed to explore: a) the extent empirical evidence can support each hypothesis; b) how Internet use-SCC relationship was addressed across studies; c) the intensity of the Internet use –SCC relationship; d) potential moderators. Twenty-one studies (N = 8,910) met the inclusion criteria for the systematic review (i.e., being quantitative, written in English, concerned with Internet use -SCC relationship) and 11 studies (N = 3,298) met the additional criteria for meta-analysis (i.e., being correlational, using self-evaluation instruments, quantifying general Internet use and including the information needed to calculate the meta-analysis specific indicators). Results emphasized that all three hypotheses are plausible, as distinct dimensions of Internet use related differently with SCC. However, the conclusions were limited by the extensive use of cross-sectional design. For general Internet use and SCC relationship the overall effect was -0.350, p < .01. Some moderators were significant: cultural background, Internet operationalization, age homogeneity, participants rewarding. This paper outlines the complexity of SCC – Internet relationship and underlines some of the gaps that should be further addressed. Implications and limits of the study (e.g., publication bias, excluded outcomes in the meta-analysis or possible omission of moderators) are discussed.