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Believing that you can handle negative news : incidental negative news exposure on Instagram, well-being, and the moderation by self-efficacy

Bauer, J. (2022) Believing that you can handle negative news : incidental negative news exposure on Instagram, well-being, and the moderation by self-efficacy.

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Abstract:Instagram users are often incidentally exposed to negative news, which can cause stress and reduce well-being. Self-efficacy has been connected to lower stress levels and increased well-being, suggesting that self-efficacy might moderate the relationship between incidental negative news exposure and well-being. A pre-post experiment with a control and experimental group was conducted. 105 participants were exposed to a neutral artificial Instagram feed, which contained ten lifestyle-related posts. 106 participants were incidentally exposed to negative climate news posts in-between the neutral posts. Self-efficacy was measured with the self-efficacy subscale of the PCQ, and well-being scores were measured with the MHC-SF. Two paired t-tests and a moderation analysis with self-efficacy as the moderator were run. For both groups, there was a significant decline in well-being, with the experimental group having a larger decline. The moderation by self-efficacy was insignificant. Ultimately, it is unlikely that the incidental exposure to negative news significantly impacted well-being. The current sample was possibly affected by self-comparison and jealousy, which can decrease well-being. Mindfulness training for Instagram users should be considered to counteract these effects. Future studies could explore repeated exposure, subgroup differences, and underreported news. Keywords: Incidental negative news exposure, self-efficacy, Instagram, climate change
Item Type:Essay (Bachelor)
Faculty:BMS: Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences
Subject:77 psychology
Programme:Psychology BSc (56604)
Link to this item:https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/91531
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