What Your Facebook Status Updates Say About You — New Study Analyzes Traits Of Users

Facebook users who constantly post updates probably think very highly of themselves, while insecure people post to receive validation, according to a new study.

Researchers from Brunel University asked 555 Facebook users to complete surveys about their Facebook posts and they discovered several interesting things, according to study posted in Science Direct.

The study examined how people with the big five personality types — extroversion, openness, narcissism, neuroticism, and conscientiousness — all updated their Facebook pages differently.

Narcissists, people who tend to be vain and think highly of themselves, were more likely to post updates about their achievements and their daily routine including their workout, diet, and physical appearance.

They also reported having a greater number of likes and comments, although this could be due to their personality.

Facebook users who identified with openness were more likely to use the social media platform to share information about intellectual topics.

Researchers said friendly and outgoing extroverts were more likely to use Facebook primarily to post about social events and communicate with their friends.

Meanwhile, neurotic or anxious people said they posted updates about their friends and relationships in order to receive validation from other Facebook users comments and likes.

Facebook users with low self-esteem, however, were more likely to post about their romantic relationships and their partner, but they do it to claim the relationship, not to receive validation.

People who registered as conscientious were more likely to use Facebook to post updates about their children.

Researchers said it was important to understand what motivates different Facebook users.

Facebook users who receive likes and comments tend to feel included in a group while those who don’t feel left out, Brunel University lecturer Dr. Tara Marshall said in a press release.

“Although our results suggest that narcissists’ bragging pays off because they receive more likes and comments to their status updates, it could be that their Facebook friends politely offer support while secretly disliking such egotistical displays. Greater awareness of how one’s status updates might be perceived by friends could help people to avoid topics that annoy more than they entertain.”

The study comes as Facebook is preparing to change the way it handles status updates and posts to include more than just comments and likes.

Facebook says it will soon include friend’s locations, local business hours, and trending topics, according to the Inquisitr. Facebook is trying to become a one-stop shop for all your social media needs.

What do your Facebook posts say about you?

[Photo by Dan Kitwood / Getty Images]