Does Facebook Magnify or Mitigate Threats to Belonging?

Previous research has yielded mixed findings regarding the interpersonal causes and consequences of Facebook use. The current research examines the role of belonging needs in motivating Facebook use and the protective value of Facebook following exclusion. In four studies we: manipulated exclusion and observed participants' behavioral preferences (Study 1); measured participants' belonging needs and their Facebook use (Study 2); and manipulated exclusion, exposed participants to either their Facebook photos/pages or control photos/pages, and measured need satisfaction and aggression (Studies 3-4). We found that exclusion motivated computer-mediated communication, and belonging needs predicted Facebook use. Also, exposure to Facebook protected excluded individuals' social needs and mitigated aggressive behavior. Altogether, these studies suggest that Facebook is a powerful tool that allows individuals to reaffirm their social bonds.