Self-Compassion and Instagram Use Is Explained by the Relation to Anxiety, Depression, and Stress

Rebecca Keyte,Amy Cook,Helen Egan,Michail Mantzios,Misba Hussain,Lauren Mullis

doi:10.1007/s41347-020-00186-z

Rebecca Keyte, Amy Cook + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1007/s41347-020-00186-z

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Abstract

Previous research acknowledges that prolonged social media use is associated with several negative psychological consequences, including higher levels of depression, anxiety, and stress. In order to protect individuals from social stressors, research illustrates the role that self-compassion can play, with individuals high in self-compassion reporting greater emotional wellbeing; hence, proposing self-compassion could be a trait that is positively related to social media use. This research aimed to investigate the relationship between Instagram use and self-compassion, and whether this relationship can be explained through the relation to psychological wellbeing (depression, anxiety, and stress). A cross-sectional study was conducted to investigate this relationship amongst young adults (n = 173), utilizing a revised version of The Multidimensional Facebook Intensity Scale to explore Instagram, The Self-Compassion Scale, and the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale. Instagram intensity appeared to influence psychological wellbeing, with participants who spent more time on Instagram reporting poorer psychological wellbeing. Whilst higher levels of self-compassion were associated with lower levels of reported depression, anxiety, and stress, the relationship between Instagram intensity and self-compassion was not mediated to the extent as expected by wellbeing. Possible explanations and future directions are discussed as to what could explain the positive relationship between self-compassion and Instagram use.

Highlights

Social media has become an essential part of young peoples’ daily lives (Alt 2018), with at least 92% of adolescents being active on social media (Pew Research Centre 2018)
This study aimed to explore the relationship between Instagram intensity and psychological wellbeing, as well as Instagram intensity and self-compassion
Instagram intensity appeared to influence psychological wellbeing, with participants who spent more time on Instagram reporting poorer psychological wellbeing; this was significant for depression, anxiety, and stress

Summary

Introduction

Social media has become an essential part of young peoples’ daily lives (Alt 2018), with at least 92% of adolescents being active on social media (Pew Research Centre 2018). Understanding the impact elements that might enable social media use to be positive upon wellbeing is a priority within contemporary research (Keles McCrae and Grealish 2019). Today’s generation of adolescents and young adults is the first cohort to have grown up with online social networking sites, which will have played an influential role in the development and maintenance of their friendships. Studies have demonstrated beneficial effects of social media use, with such platforms enabling individuals to receive social support, whilst expressing their thoughts and feelings (Deters and Mehl 2013; Lenhart et al 2015; Lilley et al 2014; O’Keeffe and Clarke-Pearson 2011; Rosen 2011)

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