Attachment style moderates the relationship between social media use and user mental health and wellbeing

Daniel Frings,Daniel C Kolubinski,Lindsay Young

doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e04056

Abstract

BackgroundPast research has correlated social media use with a variety of mental health outcomes – both positive and negative. The current study aims to explore two possible moderators of the link between social media use and mental health outcomes; specifically, the effects of having an anxious and/or avoidant attachment style. MethodA cross-sectional correlational design was implemented. Participants (n = 124). aged ≥18 years completed scales measuring experiences in close relationships, general problematic Internet use, psychological wellbeing and satisfaction with life. ResultsNegative relationships between problematic social media use and both psychological wellbeing and life satisfaction were observed. For psychological wellbeing, the relationship was strongest amongst individuals who were low in avoidant attachment and high in anxious attachment. DiscussionThese results suggest that attachment style impacts the extent that social media affects user mental health and wellbeing; partly explaining paradoxical results in previous research. ConclusionWe suggest that individuals who are high in anxious attachment and low in attachment avoidance may be more susceptible to negative outcomes arising from problematic SNS use.

Highlights

Past research has correlated social media use with a variety of mental health outcomes – both positive and negative
The current study aims to explore two possible moderators of the link between social network use and mental health outcomes; the effects of having an anxious and/or avoidant attachment style (the behavioural system and tendencies developed during infancy that aims to achieve psychological and physiological security (Gillath et al, 2019))
With some literature suggesting a bidirectional relationship between social media use and user mental health and wellbeing, the current study aimed to explore if the strength of the possible relationship between social networking sites (SNSs) and mental health outcomes are moderated by having anxious and/or avoidant attachment styles

Summary

Introduction

Past research has correlated social media use with a variety of mental health outcomes – both positive and negative. The current study aims to explore two possible moderators of the link between social media use and mental health outcomes; the effects of having an anxious and/or avoidant attachment style. Results: Negative relationships between problematic social media use and both psychological wellbeing and life satisfaction were observed. The relationship was strongest amongst individuals who were low in avoidant attachment and high in anxious attachment. Discussion: These results suggest that attachment style impacts the extent that social media affects user mental health and wellbeing; partly explaining paradoxical results in previous research. Conclusion: We suggest that individuals who are high in anxious attachment and low in attachment avoidance may be more susceptible to negative outcomes arising from problematic SNS use

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Conclusion