scholarly journals Fear of Missing Out, Mental Wellbeing, and Social Connectedness: A Seven-Day Social Media Abstinence Trial

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (12) ◽  
pp. 4566 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lorna Brown ◽  
Daria J. Kuss
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Social Connectedness ◽  
Psychological Impact ◽  
Negative Relationship ◽  
Mental Wellbeing ◽  
Limited Attention ◽  
Change Scores ◽  
Fear Of Missing Out ◽  
Before And After

Smartphones aid the constant accessibility of social media (SM) applications, and these devices and platforms have become a key part of our everyday lives and needs. Previous research has focused on the psychological impact of social media use (SMU) and SM abstinence has only received limited attention. Therefore, employing a combination of an experimental within-subjects mixed methodology using surveys to obtain both quantitative and qualitative data, this study aimed to compare psychosocial factors of fear of missing out (FoMO), mental wellbeing (MWB), and social connectedness (SC) before and after seven days of SM abstinence. Results revealed that participants (N = 61) experienced a significant increase in MWB and SC, and a significant decrease in FoMO and smartphone use following SM abstinence. There was a significant positive relationship between MWB and SC change scores and a significant negative relationship between SC and FoMO change scores. There were no significant differences in levels of SMU before abstinence or across genders in FoMO, MWB, and SC change scores. Thematic analysis revealed coping, habit, and boredom as motivations for SMU, and notification distractions presenting a challenge for successful abstinence from SM. Participants indicated that abstinence resulted in the perceived need to fill their time with non-SM applications. Finally, thematic analysis revealed mixed experiences of perceived connectivity in the absence of SMU. Findings present implications for the importance of unplugging from SM for temporary periods because scrolling through SM to fill time is a key motivator of SMU, and notifications encourage SMU and trigger FoMO.

scholarly journals Is social media bad for mental health and wellbeing? Exploring the perspectives of adolescents

2018 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 601-613 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle O’Reilly ◽  
Nisha Dogra ◽  
Natasha Whiteman ◽  
Jason Hughes ◽  
Seyda Eruyar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Anxiety Disorders ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Mental Wellbeing ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Health And Wellbeing ◽  
Use Of Social Media ◽  
Media Discourses

Despite growing evidence of the effects of social media on the mental health of adolescents, there is still a dearth of empirical research into how adolescents themselves perceive social media, especially as knowledge resource, or how they draw upon the wider social and media discourses to express a viewpoint. Accordingly, this article contributes to this scarce literature. Six focus groups took place over 3 months with 54 adolescents aged 11–18 years, recruited from schools in Leicester and London (UK). Thematic analysis suggested that adolescents perceived social media as a threat to mental wellbeing and three themes were identified: (1) it was believed to cause mood and anxiety disorders for some adolescents, (2) it was viewed as a platform for cyberbullying and (3) the use of social media itself was often framed as a kind of ‘addiction’. Future research should focus on targeting and utilising social media for promoting mental wellbeing among adolescents and educating youth to manage the possible deleterious effects.

scholarly journals Social media optimization: making library content shareable and engaging

2015 ◽  
Vol 33 (4) ◽  
pp. 526-544 ◽  
Author(s):  
Doralyn Rossmann ◽  
Scott W.H. Young
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Social Connectedness ◽  
User Engagement ◽  
Media Optimization ◽  
Web Analytics ◽  
Web Content ◽  
Content Type ◽  
User Behaviors ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Before And After

Purpose – Social Media Optimization (SMO) offers guidelines by which libraries can design content for social shareability through social networking services (SNSs). The purpose of this paper is to introduce SMO and discuss its effects and benefits for libraries. Design/methodology/approach – Researchers identified and applied five principles of SMO. Web analytics software provides data on web site traffic and user engagement before and after the application of SMO. Findings – By intentionally applying a program of SMO, the library increased content shareability, increased user engagement, and built community. Research limitations/implications – Increasing use of SNSs may influence the study results, independent of SMO application. Limitations inherent to web analytics software may affect results. Further study could expand analysis beyond web analytics to include comments on SNS posts, SNS shares from library pages, and a qualitative analysis of user behaviors and attitudes regarding library web content and SNSs. Practical implications – This research offers an intentional approach for libraries to optimize their online resources sharing through SNSs. Originality/value – Previous research has examined the role of community building and social connectedness for SNS users, but none have discussed using SMO to encourage user engagement and interactivity through increased SNS traffic into library web pages.

scholarly journals Psychological Impact of Covid-19 Issues Appearing on Social Media

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 7-11
Author(s):  
Kaseru Anduni ◽  
Kustel Diac
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Psychological Impact ◽  
Learning Difficulties ◽  
Somatic Complaints ◽  
Mental Wellbeing ◽  
Community Learning ◽  
The Public ◽  
Mood Swing ◽  
Surgical Masks ◽  
Widespread Dissemination

The effect of disseminating content on social media on people's psychology is discussed in this essay. The position of social media in disseminating content with the aim of informing and supplying the public with the most up-to-date information on covid-19 problems is critical. Over the pandemic, mental wellbeing conditions have worsened as a result of the widespread dissemination of inaccurate knowledge about Covid matters, causing a slew of psychiatric challenges in community. Learning difficulties, mood swing symptoms, somatic complaints, and unnecessary fear triggered by the spread of associated facts covid-19, which seems to be quite frightening and risky. The widespread dissemination of hoaxes about Covid-19 on social media has caused widespread paranoia and terror, leading to panic shopping, which has culminated in skyrocketing costs for essential necessities due to shortages, to the point that surgical masks and hand sanitizers are no longer accessible. It not only causes erroneous beliefs, but it also causes uncertainty and anxiety, as well as affecting people's mental health.

scholarly journals Promoting Mental Wellbeing: Young Adults’ Experience on TikTok during the COVID-19 Pandemic Lockdown in Nigeria

2021 ◽  
pp. 9-28
Author(s):  
Silas Udenze ◽  
Chinwe Elizabeth Uzochukwu
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Young People ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Mental Wellbeing ◽  
Research Participants ◽  
The World ◽  
Negative Effect

From the last quarter of 2019, the world witnessed the emergence of the COVID -19 virus that shook it to its knees, and Nigeria is not an exception. While countries were struggling with strategies on how to manage the virus, the lockdown option became paramount. During the period of the lockdown in Nigeria, most persons, especially young people, could not visit places of their choice. Hence, social media became their source of solace. This study examines the experiences of young adults in using TikTok to minimise the negative effect of isolation during the COVID-19 lockdown in Nigeria. The authors interviewed ten young persons between the ages of 19 to 31. A thematic analysis of the interviews using Braun and Clark (2006) steps for conducting thematic analysis revealed four overarching themes that describe the participants’ experiences on TikTok during the lockdown. Prominent among the themes, the study uncovered how TikTok short videos  excelled  in  impacting  the  research participants therapeutically;  easing  boredom,  and  impacting positively on their mental health. The present study suggests that TikTok short videos could be a phenomenon  that  could  be  adopted  by  individuals  or  even  health  professionals,  especially psychotherapists  in  managing  or  treating  patients  in  similar  situations  like  the  COVID-19 compulsory lockdown.

scholarly journals Social connectedness and dementia prevention: Pilot of the APPLE-Tree video-call intervention during the Covid-19 pandemic

Dementia ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 147130122110143
Author(s):  
Claudia Cooper ◽  
Hassan Mansour ◽  
Christine Carter ◽  
Penny Rapaport ◽  
Sarah Morgan-Trimmer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Social Connectedness ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Lifestyle Changes ◽  
Social Connections ◽  
Dementia Prevention ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Memory Concerns ◽  
Video Calling

Background and Objectives The Covid-19 pandemic reduced access to social activities and routine health care that are central to dementia prevention. We developed a group-based, video-call, cognitive well-being intervention; and investigated its acceptability and feasibility; exploring through participants’ accounts how the intervention was experienced and used in the pandemic context. Research Design and Method We recruited adults aged 60+ years with memory concerns (without dementia). Participants completed baseline assessments and qualitative interviews/focus groups before and after the 10-week intervention. Qualitative interview data and facilitator notes were integrated in a thematic analysis. Results 12/17 participants approached completed baseline assessments, attended 100/120 (83.3%) intervention sessions and met 140/170 (82.4%) of goals set. Most had not used video calling before. In the thematic analysis, our overarching theme was social connectedness. Three sub-themes were as follows: Retaining independence and social connectedness: social connectedness could not be at the expense of independence; Adapting social connectedness in the pandemic: participants strived to compensate for previous social connectedness as the pandemic reduced support networks; Managing social connections within and through the intervention: although there were tensions, for example, between sharing of achievements feeling supportive and competitive, participants engaged with various lifestyle changes; social connections supported group attendance and implementation of lifestyle changes. Discussion and Implications Our intervention was acceptable and feasible to deliver by group video-call. We argue that dementia prevention is both an individual and societal concern. For more vulnerable populations, messages that lifestyle change can help memory should be communicated alongside supportive, relational approaches to enabling lifestyle changes.

Attentional capture helps explain why moral and emotional content go viral

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
William J. Brady ◽  
Ana P. Gantman ◽  
Jay Joseph Van Bavel
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Attentional Capture ◽  
Emotional Content ◽  
Limited Attention ◽  
Psychological Process ◽  
Emotional Stimuli ◽  
Political Leaders ◽  
Lab Experiments ◽  
Perceptual Systems ◽  
Shed Light

Our social media newsfeeds are filled with a variety of content all battling for our limited attention. Across three studies, we investigated whether moral and emotional content captures our attention more than other content and if this may help explain why this content is more likely to go viral online. Using a combination of controlled lab experiments and nearly 50,000 political tweets, we found that moral and emotional content are prioritized in early visual attention more than neutral content, and that such attentional capture is associated with increased retweets during political conversations online. Furthermore, we found that the differences in attentional capture among moral and emotional stimuli could not be fully explained by differences in arousal. These studies suggest that attentional capture is one basic psychological process that helps explain the increased diffusion of moral and emotional content during political discourse on social media, and shed light on ways in which political leaders, disinformation profiteers, marketers, and activist organizations can spread moralized content by capitalizing on natural tendencies of our perceptual systems.

The Relationship Between Highly Visual Social Media and Young People’s Mental Health: A Scoping Review (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alanna McCrory
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Young People ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Quantitative Methods ◽  
Grey Literature ◽  
Significant Proportion ◽  
Mental Wellbeing ◽  
Published Evidence ◽  
The Impact

UNSTRUCTURED Users of highly visual social media (HVSM), such as Snapchat and Instagram, share their messages through images, rather than relying on words. A significant proportion of people that use these platforms are adolescents. Previous research reveals mixed evidence regarding the impact of online social technologies on this age group’s mental wellbeing, but it is uncertain whether the psychological effects of visual content alone differ from text-driven social media. This scoping review maps existing literature that has published evidence about highly visual social media, specifically its psychological impact on young people. Nine electronic databases and grey literature from 2010 until March 2019 were reviewed for articles describing any aspect of visual social media, young people and their mental health. The screening process retrieved 239 articles. With the application of eligibility criteria, this figure was reduced to 25 articles for analysis. Results indicate a paucity of data that exclusively examines HVSM. The predominance of literature relies on quantitative methods to achieve its objectives. Many findings are inconsistent and lack the richness that qualitative data may provide to explore the reasons for theses mixed findings.

scholarly journals Young adults’ coping strategies against loneliness during the COVID-19-related quarantine in Greece

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adrianos Golemis ◽  
Panteleimon Voitsidis ◽  
Eleni Parlapani ◽  
Vasiliki A Nikopoulou ◽  
Virginia Tsipropoulou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Coping Strategies ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Psychological Impact ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Daily Routine ◽  
Cross Sectional

Summary COVID-19 and the related quarantine disrupted young adults’ academic and professional life, daily routine and socio-emotional well-being. This cross-sectional study focused on the emotional and behavioural responses of a young adult population during the COVID-19-related quarantine in April 2020, in Greece. The study was conducted through an online survey. A total of 1559 young adults, aged 18−30 years, completed Steele’s Social Responsibility Motivation Scale and the De Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale, and answered questions about compliance with instructions, quarantine-related behaviours and coping strategies. According to the results, participants displayed a relatively high sense of social responsibility (M = 16.09, SD = 2.13) and a trend towards moderate feeling of loneliness (M = 2.65, SD = 1.62); young women reported significantly higher levels of loneliness than men. The majority complied with instructions often (46.4%) or always (44.8%). Significantly more women created a new social media account and used the social media longer than 5 h/day, compared with men. Resorting to religion, practicing sports and sharing thoughts and feelings about COVID-19 with others predicted higher levels of social responsibility; humour, practicing sports and sharing thoughts and feelings about COVID-19 with others predicted lower levels of loneliness. Conclusively, COVID-19 is expected to have a significant psychological impact on young adults. Currently, Greece is going through the second quarantine period. This study raises awareness about loneliness in young adults during the COVID-19-related quarantine and highlights the importance of developing online programmes, attractive to younger people, to nurture adaptive coping strategies against loneliness.

scholarly journals Dark consequences of social media-induced fear of missing out (FoMO): Social media stalking, comparisons, and fatigue

2021 ◽  
Vol 171 ◽  
pp. 120931
Author(s):  
Anushree Tandon ◽  
Amandeep Dhir ◽  
Shalini Talwar ◽  
Puneet Kaur ◽  
Matti Mäntymäki
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Fear Of Missing Out

Fear of Missing Out as motivation to process information: How differences in Instagram use affect attitude formation online

2021 ◽  
pp. 146144482110118
Author(s):  
Dominik Neumann ◽  
Patricia T Huddleston ◽  
Bridget K Behe
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Cognitive Processing ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Regression Analyses ◽  
Fear Of Missing Out ◽  
Advertising Strategy ◽  
Social Media Platforms ◽  
Advertising Content ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Marketing Messages

Marketing on social media has become ubiquitous. Consequently, social media platforms are increasing the level of advertising content that users may later encounter when navigating online shopping websites. It is unclear how this amplification of exposure to marketing messages through social media affects consumers’ attitudes to products online. Furthermore, the roles of social media participation and proneness to experience Fear of Missing Out on product attitude remain largely unexplored. In this research ( N = 1002), we employed an online survey of US Instagram users. These data were submitted to three-way moderation regression analyses with attitude toward the product as the dependent variable. Consumers who are more active on social media and had high (vs low) Fear of Missing Out expressed more favorable attitudes toward online products after being exposed to Instagram content (vs not exposed). The theoretical and practical implications for cognitive processing research and advertising strategy and study limitations are discussed.

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