Too Much of a Good Thing: Who We Follow, What We Do, And How Much Time We Spend on Social Media Affects Well-Being

2021 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
pp. 46-68
Author(s):  
Melissa Hunt ◽  
Katherine All ◽  
Brennan Burns ◽  
Kyler Li
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Private University ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Active Group ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Active Engagement ◽  
Highly Active ◽  
Correlational Research ◽  
Initial Survey

Introduction: Given previous experimental research on the benefits of limiting time spent on social media and correlational research linking active use to better well-being, we designed an experimental study to investigate the effects of limiting time and increasing active use on social media on well-being. Method: After completing a survey on who they followed on social media and undergoing a week of baseline monitoring, 88 undergraduates at a private university were randomly assigned to either limit Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Snapchat use to 30 minutes in total per day and increase their active use, just limit their use to 30 minutes per day, or continue to use social media as usual for three weeks. Results: The initial survey revealed that following more friends was negatively correlated with loneliness whereas following more strangers was positively correlated with depression. Highly depressed participants in the limited use group showed significant reductions in depression compared to the control group, but the active group did not show similar benefits. Highly active participants in the active group reported greater loneliness and anxiety and lower self-esteem at week 4 compared to less active participants in the active group, whereas the most passive participants in the control group showed the worst depression overall. Discussion: Our findings suggest that following friends rather than strangers and limiting time spent on social media may lead to significant improvements in well-being, and that moderately active engagement may be the most adaptive.

scholarly journals Does Putting Away Your Smartphone Make You Happier? The Effects of Restricting Digital Media and Social Media on Well-Being

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa C. Walsh ◽  
Annie Regan ◽  
Karynna Okabe-Miyamoto ◽  
Sonja Lyubomirsky
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Digital Media ◽  
Media Use ◽  
Negative Emotion ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Social Media Use ◽  
Correlational Research ◽  
Dating Apps ◽  
Direction Of Effects

Both scientists and laypeople have become increasingly concerned about smartphones, especially their associated digital media (e.g., email, news, gaming, and dating apps) and social media (e.g., Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat). Recent correlational research links substantial declines in Gen Z well-being to digital and social media use, yet other work suggests the effects are small and unnoteworthy. To further disentangle correlation from causation and better elucidate the strength and direction of effects, we conducted a pre-registered 8-day experimental deprivation study with Gen Z individuals (N = 338). Participants were randomly assigned to one of four conditions: (1) restrict digital media use, (2) restrict social media use, (3) restrict water use (active control), or (4) restrict nothing (measurement-only control). Relative to controls, participants restricting digital media reported a variety of benefits, including higher life satisfaction, mindfulness, autonomy, competence, and self-esteem, and reduced loneliness and stress. In contrast, those assigned to restrict social media reported relatively few benefits (increased mindfulness) and even some costs (more negative emotion).

No More FOMO: Limiting Social Media Decreases Loneliness and Depression

2018 ◽  
Vol 37 (10) ◽  
pp. 751-768 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melissa G. Hunt ◽  
Rachel Marx ◽  
Courtney Lipson ◽  
Jordyn Young
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Media Use ◽  
Well Being ◽  
University Of Pennsylvania ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Social Media Use ◽  
Self Monitoring ◽  
Correlational Research ◽  
The University ◽  
Anxiety And Fear

Introduction: Given the breadth of correlational research linking social media use to worse well-being, we undertook an experimental study to investigate the potential causal role that social media plays in this relationship. Method: After a week of baseline monitoring, 143 undergraduates at the University of Pennsylvania were randomly assigned to either limit Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat use to 10 minutes, per platform, per day, or to use social media as usual for three weeks. Results: The limited use group showed significant reductions in loneliness and depression over three weeks compared to the control group. Both groups showed significant decreases in anxiety and fear of missing out over baseline, suggesting a benefit of increased self-monitoring. Discussion: Our findings strongly suggest that limiting social media use to approximately 30 minutes per day may lead to significant improvement in well-being.

scholarly journals Self-Esteem Evaluation in Children and Adolescents Suffering from ADHD

2013 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 96-102 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luigi Mazzone ◽  
Valentina Postorino ◽  
Laura Reale ◽  
Manuela Guarnera ◽  
Valeria Mannino ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Treatment Strategies ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Healthy Controls ◽  
Adhd Symptoms ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Drug Free

Background: Several recent studies investigated the relationship between self-esteem and ADHD, however, the results are still controversial. In the present study we analyze the characteristics of self-esteem in a sample of children and adolescents suffering from ADHD, with a particular focus on the relationship between ADHD symptoms severity and treatment strategies. Methods: A total of 85 patients with ADHD (44 drug-free and 41 drug-treated, 23 of which atomoxetine-treated and 18 Methylphenidate-treated) and 26 healthy controls were enrolled in the study in order to evaluate self-esteem using the Self-esteem Multidimensional Test (TMA). Results: ADHD subjects revealed lower scores on all self-esteem domains compared to controls. Both ADHD drug-free (47.1%) and ADHD drug-treated (44.1%) groups showed significantly higher rates of subjects in the pathological range as compared to normal control group (8.8%) (p <.001) with a higher percentage of subjects in the pathological range. Among ADHD drug-treated subjects, the methylphenidate group showed higher self-esteem scores as compared to the atomoxetine group. Conclusion: A lower self-esteem profile is more common in subjects suffering from ADHD than in healthy controls, suggesting the importance of an early detection of psychological well-being in these children in order to reduce the ADHD symptoms long-term impacts.

scholarly journals Impact of Fear of Missing Out on Psychological Well-Being Among Emerging Adulthood Aged Social Media Users

2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 23-30
Author(s):  
Judithya Anggita Savitri
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Emerging Adulthood ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Reliability Estimation ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Good Reliability ◽  
Psychological Well Being ◽  
Fear Of Missing Out ◽  
Correlational Research ◽  
The Impact

This study aimed to find out the impact of Fear of Missing Out (FoMO) FoMO on psychological well-being especially for social media users at the age of emerging adulthood. This study used a quantitative correlational research. The research was conducted through online questionnaire invloving 400 people obtained through accidental sampling method. The data collected using a fear of missing out (FoMO) scale and a psychological well-being scale that had been modified from Przybylski's FoMO scale and Ryff's Psychological well-being scale. The FoMO scale consists of 15 items with good reliability estimation (α = 0.849) and the psychological well-being scale consists of 45 items with also a good reliability estimation (α = 0.941). The data was analyzed using the simple linear regression. The anlysis revealed that FoMO was able to predict psychological well-being (F=43,753; p=0,000 < α 0,05). FoMO can predict psychological well-being with a contribution value of 9,99%. The regression equation line obtained was Y = 154,264 – 0,633X. Further discussion regarding the impact of fear of missing out on psychological well-being among emerging adulthood aged social media users were elaborated.

scholarly journals Effects of a Positive Psychology-based Mental Health Promotion Program for High School Students

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 154-163
Author(s):  
Myung Sun Hyun ◽  
Mi-kyung Yun ◽  
Sun-Mi Chae ◽  
Hee Young Oh ◽  
Sun-Mi Jung
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
High School ◽  
High School Students ◽  
Positive Psychology ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Health Promotion Program ◽  
Control Group ◽  
School Students ◽  
Psychological Well Being

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a positive psychology-based mental health promotion program for high school students. Methods: This study used a randomized control group pretest-posttest design. A total of 47 high school students participated from two high schools in Gyeonggi Province. They were randomly assigned to an experimental group (n=24), which participated in the 8-session program, or to a control group (n=23). Psychological well-being, depression, and self-esteem were measured. Results: A significant difference in psychological well-being was observed between the two groups after the program. However, there were no significant between-group differences in depression or self-esteem. Conclusion: The positive psychology-based mental program was effective at increasing psychological well-being in adolescents, especially high school students. This study suggests that a school curriculum could incorporate positive psychology-based mental programs for high school students to promote their mental health.

scholarly journals Selfie-related concepts and behaviors among Egyptian and Saudi nursing students: a comparative study

2021 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marwa Abd El-fatah Ali El-slamoni ◽  
Hanem AbdElkhalek Ahmed ◽  
Azza Elsayed Abdelfatah Arafat
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Body Image ◽  
Nursing Students ◽  
Demographic Data ◽  
Modern Society ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Saudi Students ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
And Behaviors

Abstract Background Over the last 10 years, social media has become an integral facet of modern society. Self-presentation and body satisfaction are related to social media and its impact on users’ levels of well-being and self-esteem. This study aimed to compare selfie-related concepts (self-esteem and body image) and behaviors (selfie habits and patterns, the motives for using the selfie, and attitude about selfie) between samples of Egyptians and Saudis student nurses. To attain this research aim, a comparative research design study was conducted between 7th of October and 5th of November 2020. This study was conducted in the two countries: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) (College of Nursing, Taif University) and Egypt (Faculty of Nursing, Zagazig University). A sample of 300 students was included in two countries: KSA and Egypt. Socio-demographic data sheet, patterns of selfie use scale, self-confidence questionnaire (SCQ), and body image scale. Results Results revealed that the Egyptian students were higher in number of selfies per day than Saudi students and the majority of Saudi group like to put their selfies on Instagram. Conclusion The current study deduced that Egyptian students as regard selfie habits and patterns had a higher number of selfies per day than Saudi students, also the majority of the Saudi group as regard selfie habits like to put their selfies on Instagram with a statistically significant difference. As regards the motives for using the selfie, the reasons for taking selfies were significantly higher in Saudi nursing students than in Egyptian students regarding depression and sadness. As well, significantly higher in Egyptian than in Saudi nurse students was related to motivates that their selfies on social media often contain comments or answers, the relationship between the number of selfie-taking and gender was a statistically significant difference between the two genders in both Egyptian and Saudi groups with increasing taking selfie among Egyptian females and Saudi males.

scholarly journals Negative influences of Facebook use through the lens of network analysis

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lien Faelens ◽  
Kristof Hoorelbeke ◽  
Eiko I Fried ◽  
Rudi de Raedt ◽  
Ernst H. W. Koster
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Network Analysis ◽  
Social Comparison ◽  
Media Use ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Central Position ◽  
Social Media Use ◽  
Facebook Use

Various recent studies suggest a negative association between Facebook use and mental health. Yet, empirical evidence for this association is mixed, raising the question under which conditions Facebook use is related to negative outcomes, such as decreased well-being. Our study addresses this question by investigating the relationship between Facebook use, rumination, depressive, anxiety-, and stress-related symptoms, taking into account potential key variables such as social comparison, contingent self-esteem, and global self-esteem. In a first study, we explored the unique relations between these constructs using state-of-the-art network analysis. Subsequently, we conducted a preregistered replication study. In both studies, social comparison and self-esteem held a central position in the network, connecting social media use with indicators of psychopathology. These findings highlight the prominent role of social comparison and self-esteem in the context of social media use and well-being. Longitudinal and experimental studies will be required to further investigate these relationships.

How Social Comparison on Instagram Affects Well-Being. Perspectives from a Study Conducted During the Lockdown

2020 ◽  
Vol 65 (2) ◽  
pp. 5-19
Author(s):  
Delia Cristina Balaban ◽  
Dorin Francisc Spoaller
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Social Comparison ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Satisfaction With Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Direct Impact ◽  
Upward Comparison ◽  
Downward Comparison

"During the Spring of 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic, several countries ordered lockdowns. The limitations of movement contributed to the rise of social media activity. The present research focused on how the active use of Instagram had an impact on well-being during the first lockdown in Romania. Aiming to explore how active Instagram use contributes to users' self-esteem, satisfaction with life, and loneliness during an unprecedented situation of a lockdown, we conducted an online survey in April 2020 on young adults (N=411) in Romania. Findings showed that actively using Instagram during the lockdown did not have a significant direct impact on self-esteem and satisfaction with life, but significantly decreased loneliness. Upward comparison of Instagram active users contributed to the increase in self-esteem but decreased the values of satisfaction with life and increased loneliness. The downward comparison had no significant impact on self-esteem, satisfaction with life, and loneliness. Keywords: social media, well-being, Instagram, social comparison, COVID-19 pandemic. "

Efficacy of a Smartphone App Intervention for Reducing Caregiver Stress: Randomized Controlled Trial (Preprint)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew Fuller-Tyszkiewicz ◽  
Ben Richardson ◽  
Keriann Little ◽  
Samantha Teague ◽  
Linda Hartley-Clark ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Active Control ◽  
Psychological Intervention ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Self Monitoring

BACKGROUND Caregivers play a pivotal role in maintaining an economically viable health care system, yet they are characterized by low levels of psychological well-being and consistently report unmet needs for psychological support. Mobile app–based (mobile health [mHealth]) interventions present a novel approach to both reducing stress and improving well-being. OBJECTIVE This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a self-guided mobile app–based psychological intervention for people providing care to family or friends with a physical or mental disability. METHODS In a randomized, single-blind, controlled trial, 183 caregivers recruited through the web were randomly allocated to either an intervention (n=73) or active control (n=110) condition. The intervention app contained treatment modules combining daily self-monitoring with third-wave (mindfulness-based) cognitive-behavioral therapies, whereas the active control app contained only self-monitoring features. Both programs were completed over a 5-week period. It was hypothesized that intervention app exposure would be associated with decreases in depression, anxiety, and stress, and increases in well-being, self-esteem, optimism, primary and secondary control, and social support. Outcomes were assessed at baseline, postintervention, and 3-4 months postintervention. App quality was also assessed. RESULTS In total, 25% (18/73) of the intervention participants were lost to follow-up at 3 months, and 30.9% (34/110) of the participants from the wait-list control group dropped out before the postintervention survey. The intervention group experienced reductions in stress (<i>b</i>=−2.07; <i>P</i>=.04) and depressive symptoms (<i>b</i>=−1.36; <i>P</i>=.05) from baseline to postintervention. These changes were further enhanced from postintervention to follow-up, with the intervention group continuing to report lower levels of depression (<i>b</i>=−1.82; <i>P</i>=.03) and higher levels of emotional well-being (<i>b</i>=6.13; <i>P</i>&lt;.001), optimism (<i>b</i>=0.78; <i>P</i>=.007), self-esteem (<i>b</i>=−0.84; <i>P</i>=.005), support from family (<i>b</i>=2.15; <i>P</i>=.001), support from significant others (<i>b</i>=2.66; <i>P</i>&lt;.001), and subjective well-being (<i>b</i>=4.82; <i>P</i>&lt;.001). On average, participants completed 2.5 (SD 1.05) out of 5 treatment modules. The overall quality of the app was also rated highly, with a mean score of 3.94 out of a maximum score of 5 (SD 0.58). CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrates that mHealth psychological interventions are an effective treatment option for caregivers experiencing high levels of stress. Recommendations for improving mHealth interventions for caregivers include offering flexibility and customization in the treatment design. CLINICALTRIAL Australian New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry ACTRN12616000996460; https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=371170

The Effects of the Winners for Life Book on At-Risk Participants in the Big Brothers/Big Sisters Program

2008 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 148-159
Author(s):  
Robert Weinberg ◽  
Robert Neff ◽  
Michael Garza
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
Goal Setting ◽  
Psychological Factors ◽  
Intervention Program ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Ethical Responsibility ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Big Brothers Big Sisters ◽  
At Risk Adolescents

Since psychology professionals have a moral and ethical responsibility to evaluate the effectiveness of different products and services aimed at improving psychological/physical well-being, development, and/or performance, the purpose of the present investigation was to evaluate the effectiveness of the Winners for Life book (and accompanying Parent Instructor Guide) on improving a variety of psychological factors for at-risk adolescents. Participants were 96 pairs from the Big Brothers/Little Brothers, Big Sisters/Little Sisters program. Participants were randomly assigned to one of three conditions: Winners for Life book, Winners for Life book plus instructor guide, or control group. Each group participated in a 12-week intervention program. Results revealed that both Winners for Life book conditions resulted in greater increases in self-esteem, self-perceived goal setting ability, optimism, and hope than the control condition, with the Winners for Life book plus instructor guide condition achieving the greatest improvements.

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