The roles of attachment and honor in the experience of jealousy on facebook from an Arab perspective -

Abstract

Social networking sites (SNSs) have exploded among Internet users over the last years (Boyd and Ellison, 2007). Unlike former types of computer-mediated-communication like chat rooms, these sites are described as “nonymous” online environments, which means users can be identified and exist in real life as opposed to being anonymous. Users’ profiles not only comprise identifying information but their displayed online relationships usually correspond to their offline relationships, making these sites unique (Utz and Kramer, 2009; Utz and Beukeboom, 2007). Plenty of literature is found on why people use these SNSs in general, in addition to the specific use of Facebook. Not so common however, and practically non-existent in the Arab region, is literature on how Facebook plays a role in romantic relationships. This research examines how attachment theory plays into the experience of jealousy on Facebook from an Arab perspective, which under certain circumstances may lead to intimate partner violence. To make this study culturally relevant, honor is explored since the Arab region is considered a culture of honor (Vandello and Cohen, 2003). Facebook users with an Arab nationality participated in an online questionnaire assessing Adult Attachment, Facebook Jealousy, Honor, Partner Violence and Relationship Satisfaction. Findings revealed people with higher degrees of attachment anxiety not only experienced greater Facebook jealousy than those who are avoidant, but further monitored their partner’s profile page and were more accepting of partner violence. Honor was a significant factor and demonstrated when one’s manhood is threatened, men tend to resort to violence to punish their women for behaving dishonorably, especially under contexts of abandonment, infidelity, criticism and shaming, as well as when finding proof of romantic or sexual betrayal on Facebook.