an article by Florian Arendt (University of Vienna, Austria), Sebastian Scherr (KU Leuven, Belgium) and Daniel Romer (University of Pennsylvania, USA) published in New Media & Society Volume 21 Issue 11-12 (November 2019)
Abstract
Suicide is a leading cause of death among youth, and media depictions of suicidal behaviour can be a contributing risk factor.
Of interest, Instagram recently received more scholarly attention due to its large number of publicly available, explicit, and graphic depictions of self-harm. Importantly, researchers have hypothesized that exposure to this content could be a risk for self-harm and suicide in vulnerable audiences.
We tested this hypothesis using a two-wave US panel survey among young adults (N = 729).
Analyses indicated that exposure to self-harm on Instagram was associated with suicidal ideation, self-harm, and emotional disturbance even controlling for exposure to other sources with similar content.
As hypothesised, exposure to self-harm on Instagram at the first wave prospectively predicted self-harm and suicidality-related outcomes at the second wave 1 month later.
These findings provide evidence that such exposure can lead to contagion in vulnerable users.
Implications are discussed.
Full text (PDF 21pp)
Showing posts with label Instagram. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Instagram. Show all posts
Tuesday, 19 November 2019
Monday, 30 September 2019
Instagram: Friend or foe? The application’s association with psychological well-being
an article by Samantha B Mackson, Paula M Brochu and Barry A Schneider (Nova Southeastern University, USA) published in New Media & Society Volume 21 Issue 10 (October 2019)
Abstract
The current study examined the association between the social media application Instagram and its users’ psychological well-being.
Participants, both Instagram users and non-users, were surveyed online on measures of depression, anxiety, loneliness, self-esteem, body image, and social comparison. Participants who reported having an Instagram account were also asked about their time spent on Instagram and Instagram anxiety.
To understand the association between Instagram and psychological well-being, the study’s first aim was to compare participants who had an Instagram account with those who did not have one. Results revealed that participants with the application reported lower levels of anxiety, depression, and loneliness, and higher levels of self-esteem, than participants who did not have an account. Furthermore, loneliness and self-esteem mediated the association between having an Instagram account and depression and anxiety.
The second aim of the study was to examine what factors are associated with Instagram users’ reports of anxiety and depression, focusing specifically on participants who reported having an Instagram account. Results revealed that anxiety and depression were predicted by Instagram anxiety and social comparison, respectively.
Overall, these results show that Instagram is associated with psychological well-being.
However, when Instagram users experience Instagram anxiety or engage in social comparison, it is associated with poorer psychological outcomes.
This research provides an insight into the psychological impact that Instagram can have on its users.
Abstract
The current study examined the association between the social media application Instagram and its users’ psychological well-being.
Participants, both Instagram users and non-users, were surveyed online on measures of depression, anxiety, loneliness, self-esteem, body image, and social comparison. Participants who reported having an Instagram account were also asked about their time spent on Instagram and Instagram anxiety.
To understand the association between Instagram and psychological well-being, the study’s first aim was to compare participants who had an Instagram account with those who did not have one. Results revealed that participants with the application reported lower levels of anxiety, depression, and loneliness, and higher levels of self-esteem, than participants who did not have an account. Furthermore, loneliness and self-esteem mediated the association between having an Instagram account and depression and anxiety.
The second aim of the study was to examine what factors are associated with Instagram users’ reports of anxiety and depression, focusing specifically on participants who reported having an Instagram account. Results revealed that anxiety and depression were predicted by Instagram anxiety and social comparison, respectively.
Overall, these results show that Instagram is associated with psychological well-being.
However, when Instagram users experience Instagram anxiety or engage in social comparison, it is associated with poorer psychological outcomes.
This research provides an insight into the psychological impact that Instagram can have on its users.
Monday, 23 September 2019
Is Instagram starting to take mental health seriously?
an article by Sarah Manavis published in the New Statesman
Another roll-out targeted at improving users’ mental health is a step in the right direction – but we should be careful about overpraising desperately needed changes.
Yesterday [18 September], Instagram announced one of the biggest content changes in its history: it will begin censoring dieting and cosmetic surgery posts for under-18s. It also announced that certain content would be removed altogether if deemed dangerous to the general public. These changes are the long-awaited response to calls from body-positivity activists, who claim Instagram has become rife with sponsored posts pushing flat tummy teas, diet pills, lip fillers, and dangerous cosmetic procedures.
Emma Collins, Instagram’s public policy manager explained: “We want Instagram to be a positive place for everyone that uses it and this policy is part of our ongoing work to reduce the pressure that people can sometimes feel as a result of social media… We’ve sought guidance from external experts, including Dr Ysabel Gerrard in the UK, to make sure any steps to restrict and remove this content will have a positive impact on our community of over 1 billion people around the world – whilst ensuring Instagram remains a platform for expression and discussion.”
Continue reading
Another roll-out targeted at improving users’ mental health is a step in the right direction – but we should be careful about overpraising desperately needed changes.
Yesterday [18 September], Instagram announced one of the biggest content changes in its history: it will begin censoring dieting and cosmetic surgery posts for under-18s. It also announced that certain content would be removed altogether if deemed dangerous to the general public. These changes are the long-awaited response to calls from body-positivity activists, who claim Instagram has become rife with sponsored posts pushing flat tummy teas, diet pills, lip fillers, and dangerous cosmetic procedures.
Emma Collins, Instagram’s public policy manager explained: “We want Instagram to be a positive place for everyone that uses it and this policy is part of our ongoing work to reduce the pressure that people can sometimes feel as a result of social media… We’ve sought guidance from external experts, including Dr Ysabel Gerrard in the UK, to make sure any steps to restrict and remove this content will have a positive impact on our community of over 1 billion people around the world – whilst ensuring Instagram remains a platform for expression and discussion.”
Continue reading
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