Anxiety stands as the second most prominent contributor to global disability and mortality. It is estimated that approximately one-third of adult individuals in the United States will encounter an anxiety disorder at some point in their lives, with the typical age of onset being 17 years. This condition exacerbates the likelihood of numerous adverse outcomes, including the development of depression and suicidal ideation.
While social media platforms can be a source of anxiety, they also hold the potential to serve as a therapeutic avenue. Recent investigations by a researcher at the University of Arkansas have revealed that young adults who experience emotional validation through social media tend to report a significant decrease in their anxiety symptoms. Certain personality profiles, in particular, demonstrate the most pronounced improvements in their overall well-being.
Among the study’s key discoveries was the observation that individuals characterized by a high degree of openness to experience, elevated levels of extraversion and agreeableness, and a lower inclination towards conscientiousness reported receiving a greater amount of emotional support via social media. It is plausible that positive social interactions and perceptions stemming from these platforms contribute to young adults with these specific traits feeling more supported and, consequently, experiencing reduced anxiety.
“Existing longitudinal research indicates a correlation between social media engagement and anxiety,” the researchers observed in a publication within the journal Psychiatry International. “Nonetheless, the precise mechanisms by which emotional support influences this association remain incompletely elucidated. This novel study aimed to address these critical research questions, uncovering robust and linear relationships between social media emotional support and diminished anxiety, particularly among female participants.”
This research project was collaboratively undertaken by Renae Merrill, a lecturer affiliated with the Fulbright College of Arts & Sciences at the University of Arkansas, and Chunhua Cao, an assistant professor within the College of Education at the University of Alabama.
The national cohort for this investigation comprised over 2,403 adult participants residing in the U.S., aged between 18 and 30 years. Anxiety levels were assessed employing the Patient Reported Outcome Measurement Information System scale. The measure of emotional support involved querying participants about the extent of support they perceived receiving on prevalent social media networks. Personality characteristics were evaluated using the Big Five Inventory, which systematically assesses the dimensions of openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism.
“The insights derived from this research possess considerable societal implications, especially considering the escalating prevalence of anxiety among younger adults,” the study authors remarked. “We are aware that anxiety also elevates the risk for stress-induced inflammation, disturbances in sleep patterns, debilitating migraine headaches, the cultivation of negative workplace environments, the adoption of maladaptive perfectionist tendencies, diminished self-esteem, and detrimental effects on academic achievement.”
It is important to acknowledge, however, that this study cannot definitively establish the causal direction of the observed relationship. For instance, it remains unclear whether the receipt of emotional support on social media leads to a reduction in anxiety, or if pre-existing anxiety influences the perception of social media’s emotional support. The findings do, however, suggest potential gender-based variations in how social media emotional support is experienced. Moreover, the results indicate that emotional support is indeed an effective means of enhancing mental well-being.
“Individuals flourish when they perceive themselves as valued, supported, and integrated into a harmonious collective,” Merrill elaborated. “Cultivating greater emotional attunement in our interpersonal exchanges is paramount. This necessitates dedicating the time to genuinely comprehend the experiences of others and consistently offering supportive and meaningful assistance. Enhancing perception, communication, and emotional awareness, both in face-to-face interactions and across social media platforms, is fundamental to fostering improved health and overall well-being.”
Financial backing for this research initiative was provided by the Fine Foundation.
