University of Twente Student Theses
The Impact of Instagram Use on Mental Health : A Study of the Moderating Effect of Social Anxiety
Haarman, M.H.J. (2023) The Impact of Instagram Use on Mental Health : A Study of the Moderating Effect of Social Anxiety.
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| Abstract: | Instagram has been a growing social media platform and has currently more than a billion users. There is a lot of debate among researchers about the influence that Instagram has on its users. This study investigated the impact of Instagram use on mental well-being, with a particular focus on the moderating effect of social anxiety. The study targeted individuals between the ages of 18 and 30 residing or studying in Western Europe, as this demographic group is known to prefer Instagram above other social networking sites and they are considered high users of Instagram. Existing research indicated that high or extreme Instagram use can lead to problems regarding mental health. Therefore this study hypothesised: “High or extreme Instagram use, among individuals between the ages of 18 and 30, leads to lower levels of mental well-being”. This study also hypothesised that: “Social anxiety negatively moderates the effect of Instagram use on mental well-being”. To test these hypotheses, participants consisting of mostly Dutch university students (N = 101), were asked to complete an online survey that included measures of Instagram use, social anxiety, and mental well-being. This showed that the participants were on average high users of Instagram and scored slightly above average on mental well-being. However, no significant effect was found on the relationship of Instagram use on mental well-being (p = .293). Moreover there was not enough statistical evidence to support the hypothesis that social anxiety has a moderating effect on the relationship between Instagram use and mental well-being (p = .077). To conclude, this study did not find a negative effect of Instagram use on mental well-being. Further research has to be conducted on why this research is contradicting to earlier findings from other researchers. |
| Item Type: | Essay (Bachelor) |
| Faculty: | BMS: Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences |
| Subject: | 54 computer science, 70 social sciences in general, 77 psychology |
| Programme: | Psychology BSc (56604) |
| Link to this item: | https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/96831 |
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