How does stress experienced on instagram differ from threads? Comparing social media fatigue based on platform types

Abstract

Social media fatigue in individuals has been recognized as a significant consequence and has attracted considerable attention in numerous studies. Prior research on social media fatigue has predominantly focused on investigating the direct relationship between stressors and fatigue. Nevertheless, there has been a conspicuous lack of discussion concerning the psychological variable contributing to fatigue. This study aims to address this gap by proposing that the time cost plays a crucial role in mediating the relationship between stressors and fatigue. Furthermore, we propose potential variables that could alleviate these sources of stress, thereby adopting a more comprehensive methodology compared to previous investigations on fatigue. Additionally, through a multi-group analysis based on types of social media (text-based vs. image-based), we explore the relationships between stressors, time cost, and fatigue. This approach is intended to supplement the literature on social media fatigue, confined mainly to analyzing a single platform. The empirical results validate the mediating role of time cost and demonstrate differences in stress perception between platforms. This study expands upon the theoretical framework of social media fatigue and proposes customized strategies for social media types, enhancing academic and practical comprehension.