Time counts? A two-wave panel study investigating the effects of WeChat affordances on social capital and well-being

Abstract Drawing from the social capital framework and socioemotional selectivity theory, this study examines how individuals’ future time perspective (FTP) alters their processes, which further influences well-being. A two-wave survey was conducted across WeChat users possessing different FTPs. The findings showed that bonding bridging accumulation were attributed to differential affordances, in turn exerted disparate on positive affect psychological Importantly, multigroup analyses revealed future-oriented more fulfilled broadcasting affordance, whereas present-oriented derived emotional gains association affordance. Notably, frequent engagement with reviewability affordance found diminish only for those who possessed open-ended FTP. contribute theoretical knowledge of media affordances provide practical implications developers harnessing improve users’ well-being lifespans by considering priority goals.