Research exhibits how social media fuels unhappiness and materialism

You gained’t discover one other place that makes it as straightforward to check your self with others as social media. That’s not good for you.

Garments, automobiles, journey, followers: Folks with a materialistic mindset at all times need extra and, above all, greater than others. Social media offers them with very best alternatives to check themselves with others, which makes them vulnerable to passive and addictive consumer habits. This stresses them out and, finally, results in low life satisfaction. This downward spiral, which turns materialists into much less comfortable folks, was recognized by researchers from Bochum in a web based survey of over 1,200 members. They revealed their findings within the journal Telematics and Informatics Studies from January, 8, 2024.

Six questionnaires answered by over 1,200 folks

The researchers headed by Dr. Phillip Ozimek from the School of Psychology at Ruhr College Bochum, Germany, recruited 1,230 folks for his or her on-line survey. In an effort to take part, respondents had to make use of no less than one social media channel no less than as soon as every week. On common, the members said that they spent simply over two hours a day on social media.

The analysis staff used six totally different questionnaires to find out the extent to which the members had a materialistic perspective and tended to check themselves with others, whether or not they used social media extra actively or passively, whether or not they had been hooked on social media, how careworn and the way glad they had been with their lives.

Downward spiral set in movement

The info confirmed {that a} stronger materialistic strategy goes hand in hand with a bent to check oneself with others.”

Dr. Phillip Ozimek, School of Psychology, Ruhr College Bochum, Germany

This comparability may be very straightforward to make on social media, primarily by means of passive use, i.e. by trying on the content material posted by different customers. Materialism and passive use had been additionally linked to addictive use of social media. “By this we imply, for instance, that customers are continuously fascinated about the respective channels and concern that they’re lacking out on one thing if they don’t seem to be on-line,” explains Phillip Ozimek. This in flip results in signs of poorer psychological well being, i.e. stress. The ultimate hyperlink within the chain is lowered life satisfaction. “Social media is certainly one of six stepping stones to unhappiness,” concludes Phillip Ozimek.

Social media attracts and breeds materialists

“Total, the examine offers additional proof that the usage of social media is related to dangers, particularly for folks with a extremely materialistic mindset,” says the psychologist. That is notably worrying, as a result of social media can set off and enhance materialistic values, for instance by means of (influencer) advertising. On the identical time, the platforms entice materialists anyway, as they’re an ideal technique to fulfill many materialistic wants.

“It is undoubtedly a good suggestion to pay attention to the period of time you spend on social media and to cut back it,” recommends Phillip Ozimek. He advises in opposition to giving up Social Media utterly. “When you did, you are more likely to overcompensate.” The analysis staff additionally suggests recording materialism and social media use in sufferers present process therapy for psychological well being issues. “Whereas these components are sometimes irrelevant, they could be a start line for extra interventions that sufferers can check out at dwelling.”