‘Finding a home away from home’: the use of social networking sites by Asia-Pacific students in the United States for bridging and bonding social capital

Abstract

Previous research on the use of social networking sites (SNSs) has uncovered their positive influence on bridging and bonding social capital. This study examined SNS use by Asia-Pacific students studying in the United States. It was hypothesized that intensity of SNS usage, social identification with US college and home country, and collective self-esteem would be positively associated with online bridging and bonding social capital in the US college and home country environment. Results indicated that intensity of SNS usage had the strongest impact on bridging social capital in the home country, while social identification and collective self-esteem had the strongest impact on bonding social capital in the home country. Implications for future research are discussed.

Keywords:

• social networking sites
• Asia-Pacific students
• online social capital
• social identity theory
• collective self-esteem