Mindful Use of Facebook as a Self-Help Therapeutic Tool in Psychological Settings

2022 ◽  
pp. 128-152
Author(s):  
Hemamali Tennakoon
Keyword(s):  
Social Networking ◽  
Social Networking Sites ◽  
Positive Emotions ◽  
Therapeutic Potential ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Therapeutic Interventions ◽  
Mental Wellbeing ◽  
Self Help ◽  
Hypothetical Scenario ◽  
Positive Results

Social networking sites (SNS) such as Facebook have gained popularity over the years, acquiring billions of active users worldwide. There is much debate about the potential harm and benefits of using SNS. While some studies show that SNS such as Facebook can adversely affect the mental wellbeing of individuals, others show that Facebook use in therapeutic interventions can bring about positive results. According to past literature, ‘seeking gratification', particularly searching for positive emotions, is a key reason for using SNS. In this chapter, it is argued that SNS can be used mindfully to seek content that triggers positive emotions. The practical application of Facebook as a self-help tool to promote psychological well-being is explained through a hypothetical scenario. Further, a framework to educate individual users about the therapeutic potential of SNS is proposed. Practitioners in the fields of counselling and psychology may find the ideas presented in this chapter useful to their work with their clients/patients.

scholarly journals Gratitude and Social Media: A Pilot Experiment on the Benefits of Exposure to Others’ Grateful Interactions on Facebook

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simona Sciara ◽  
Daniela Villani ◽  
Anna Flavia Di Natale ◽  
Camillo Regalia
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Social Networking ◽  
Social Networking Sites ◽  
Ad Hoc ◽  
Satisfaction With Life ◽  
Specific Property ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
Pilot Experiment

Facebook and other social networking sites allow observation of others’ interactions that in normal, offline life would simply be undetectable (e.g., a two-voice conversation viewable on the Facebook wall, from the perspective of a real, silent witness). Drawing on this specific property, the theory of social learning, and the most direct implications of emotional contagion, our pilot experiment (N = 49) aimed to test whether the exposure to others’ grateful interactions on Facebook enhances (a) users’ felt gratitude, (b) expressed gratitude, and (c) their subjective well-being. For the threefold purpose, we created ad hoc Facebook groups in which the exposure to some accomplices’ exchange of grateful messages for 2 weeks was experimentally manipulated and users’ felt/expressed gratitude and well-being were consequently assessed. Results partially supported both hypotheses. Observing others’ exchange of grateful posts/comments on Facebook appeared to enhance participants’ in-person expression of gratitude (i.e., self-reported gratitude expression within face-to-face interactions), but not their direct and subjective experiences of gratitude. Similarly, exposure to others’ grateful messages improved some components of subjective well-being, such as satisfaction with life, but not negative and positive affect. Taken together, however, our preliminary findings suggest for the first time that social networking sites may actually amplify the spreading of gratitude and its benefits. Implications of our results for professionals and future research in the field of health, education, and social media communication are discussed.

Internet Use and Psychological Well-Being

2012 ◽  
pp. 302-314 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chiungjung Huang
Keyword(s):  
Social Networking ◽  
Social Networking Sites ◽  
Internet Use ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Social Networking Site ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Psychological Well Being ◽  
Site Use ◽  
Meta Analyses

The direction of the correlation between Internet use and psychological well-being is debatable. The displacement hypothesis indicates the correlation is negative, as Internet use for communication replaces face-to face-interaction. Conversely, the augmentation hypothesis suggests that the correlation is positive because Internet use for communication complements existing social interaction. While previous empirical findings about the relationship between Internet use and psychological well-being have been diverse, two previous meta-analyses and the present meta-analysis about the use of social networking sites and psychological well-being supported neither position, and found no relationship between Internet use and psychological well-being. Investigation of causal predominance between Internet use and psychological well-being, increased attention to measurement problems of social networking site use and older adults, and consideration of effects of indicators and moderators should be addressed in future research.

Use of Social Networking Sites by People with Health Issues

2017 ◽  
pp. 40-60
Author(s):  
Tatsuya Imai
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Social Networking ◽  
Social Networking Sites ◽  
Perceived Social Support ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Physical Illness ◽  
Mental Illnesses ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
The Impact

Previous studies have found that the use of social networking sites (SNSs) is associated with the user's positive outcomes such as perceived social support and psychological well-being (Ellison, Steinfield, & Lampe, 2007; Nabi, Prestin, & So, 2012). To seek those positive influences, those with health issues such as physical illness or mental illness actively use SNSs (e.g., Shpigelman & Gill, 2014a; Gowen, Deschaine, Gruttadara, & Markey, 2012). The first aim of this chapter is to describe previous studies on the use of SNSs by those with health issues such as mental illnesses, HIV/AIDS, cancer, intellectual disabilities, and diabetes. The second aim is to propose a new direction of research on the use of SNSs by those with health issues: the impact of stigma on communication on SNSs.

scholarly journals Communitainment on Instagram: Fitness Content and Community-Driven Communication as Social Media Entertainment

SAGE Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 215824402091953
Author(s):  
Sven Stollfuß
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Literature Review ◽  
Social Networking ◽  
Media Studies ◽  
Social Networking Sites ◽  
Community Building ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Self Disclosure ◽  
New Concepts ◽  
Online Entertainment

This article discusses fitness content on Instagram as a form of social media entertainment (SME). A conceptual article that presents a literature review of studies on fitness postings on social media, it examines the research on communitainment values in online fitness content. While online entertainment on social media differs from traditional mass media such as television and movies, new concepts of social media–related entertainment have been described in the field of communication and media studies. Based on a literature review of online entertainment research on media effects and content-oriented approaches of so-called “social media entertainment” (SME), this article intends to discuss fitness postings and their corresponding community-driven communication as “communitainment.” Aspects of fitness content will be further explained in terms of (a) self-representation and self-disclosure, (b) community building, and (c) media use and well-being, thereby highlighting the new dynamics of fitness communitainment on social networking sites (SNSs).

On the Relationship between Online Social Support and Users' ontinuance Intention

2015 ◽  
pp. 140-152 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaolin Lin ◽  
Dawei Zhang ◽  
Yibai Li
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Social Networking ◽  
User Satisfaction ◽  
Social Networking Sites ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Continuance Intention ◽  
Online Social Support ◽  
Managerial Implications ◽  
The Relationship

This chapter discusses the online social support in the context of social networking sites (SNSs). The pervasive adoption of social networking sites has profound influence on society and enables a new way to provide social support. Social support has been considered a key social value that online users can obtain from social networking sites. Research has shown that social support may reduce stress and promote well-being among diverse populations. Despite its significance to society, the online social support in the context of SNSs has been surprisingly under-investigated. Some fundamental questions—such as (1) What are the dimensions of online social support on SNSs? and (2) How does online social support influence other factors such as the users' satisfaction and continuance intention to SNSs?—have not been answered. This chapter attempts to answer those questions. Specifically, this chapter aims to first identify the definitional dimensions of online social support on SNSs through an extensive review of the literature. Second, this chapter uses these dimensions to model online social support and test its effects on other SNS factors: user satisfaction and continuance intention. Eventually, the results support all proposed hypotheses. The theoretical contributions and managerial implications of the results are discussed at the end of this chapter. 1

Social networking sites in the workplace: an imperative

2017 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
pp. 4-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Naveenraj Xavier ◽  
J. Reeves Wesley
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Social Networking ◽  
Social Networking Sites ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Theoretical Foundation ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Extant Literature

Purpose This paper aims to lay a theoretical foundation favoring the use of social networking sites (SNS) in workplace and its implication on employee stress and well-being. Prescriptive policies are also formulated to control unintended negative consequences. Design/methodology/approach The authors have used an explorative design. Prescriptive data were drawn from extant literature, simple discussions with employees and employers. Discussions were centered on the consequences of SNS. Findings In recent years, SNS usage has skyrocketed and use in the workplace has been controversial. Use of SNS enables employees to communicate and connect not only with coworkers but also with family members and friends, and it also helps to minimize the stress and improve the well-being of employees. However, a comprehensive policy that controls negative consequences should be in place. Originality/value This paper sensitizes readers on the need for permitting SNS usage within a policy-controlled setting in organizations. It also throws light on social support, stress and well-being.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document