How lonely people use and perceive Facebook

•How loneliness is associated with various aspects of Facebook use was examined.•Lonely people’s Facebook friends were less overlapped with their offline friends.•Lonely people’s self-disclosure was more likely negative than positive.•Lonely people engaged in communicating activities to a lesser degree on Facebook.•Lonely people were less satisfied with Facebook use than their counterparts.

This study examined the relationship between loneliness and various aspects of Facebook use including use activity, self-disclosure, attitudes, and satisfaction. Data were collected through an online survey among adult Facebook users (N = 536). Results revealed that loneliness was associated with a fewer number of Facebook friends and a less overlapping between Facebook and offline friends. Loneliness was inversely related to communicating activities but not significantly to presenting activities. Also, lonely people tended to engage in positive self-disclosure less but negative self-disclosure more. Although lonely people viewed Facebook as more useful for self-disclosure and social connection, their satisfaction of Facebook use was lower than their counterparts.