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The use of social media is associated with increased stress and decreased life satisfaction, particularly for individuals with a highly materialistic mindset, according to a study led by Dr. Phillip Ozimek from the Faculty of Psychology at Ruhr University Bochum, Germany. The research, published in the journal Telematics and Informatics Reports, involved 1,230 participants who used social media channels at least once a week.
Participants, on average, spent just over two hours a day on social media. The study utilized six different questionnaires to assess materialistic attitudes, social media use patterns (active or passive), addiction to social media, stress levels, and life satisfaction.
The findings revealed a correlation between a stronger materialistic approach and a tendency to compare oneself with others, with social media providing an easy platform for such comparisons. Materialism and passive social media use were also linked to addictive behavior, where users constantly think about the platforms and fear missing out if they are not online.
This addictive use, in turn, contributes to symptoms of poorer mental health, such as stress. Ultimately, the study suggests that social media becomes one of the factors leading to reduced life satisfaction, particularly for individuals with materialistic tendencies.
Dr. Ozimek emphasized the importance of being aware of the time spent on social media and recommended reducing usage to mitigate potential negative impacts on mental well-being. The study highlights the complex relationship between materialism, social media use, and overall life satisfaction.
