Negative Experiences on Social Media Tied to Higher Odds of Feeling Lonely

Summary: According to a new study, negative interactions on social media may increase feelings of loneliness and social isolation in young adults.

Source: University of Pittsburgh.

Positive interactions on social media are not making young adults feel more connected, whereas negative experiences increase the likelihood of them reporting loneliness, scientists with the University of Pittsburgh Center for Research on Media Technology and Health (MTH) report today in the American Journal of Health Promotion.

The findings build on award-winning research the center conducted in 2017 indicating more use of social media was associated with increased feelings of loneliness.

“Social media is, seemingly, about connecting people. So it is surprising and interesting that our investigations reveal social media being linked to loneliness,” said lead author Brian Primack, M.D., Ph.D., director of Pitt’s MTH and dean of Pitt’s Honors College. “Perceived social isolation, which is a synonym for loneliness, is associated with poor health outcomes, such as high blood pressure, heart disease and depression. Because social media is so pervasive, it is critically important that we better understand why this is happening and how we can help people navigate social media without as many negative consequences.”

Primack and his team surveyed 1,178 West Virginia University students ages 18 to 30 about their social media use, to what extent their experiences were positive or negative, and their level of perceived loneliness. The authors studied these perceptions of social media interactions across whatever combination of platforms students were using.

For every 10 percent increase in negative experiences on social media, the participants reported a 13 percent increase in feelings of loneliness. However, for every 10 percent increase in positive experiences on social media, the participants reported no statistically significant change in feelings of loneliness.

It is not clear whether people who feel lonely are seeking out or attracting negative social media experiences, or if they are having negative social media experiences that are leading to perceived isolation, said author Jaime Sidani, Ph.D., who also is assistant director of Pitt’s MTH.

“There is a tendency for people to give greater weight to negative experiences and traits compared with positive ones, and this may be particularly relevant when it comes to social media. So, positive experiences on social media may be associated with fleeting positive reinforcement, while negative experiences – such as public social media arguments – may rapidly escalate and leave a lasting, potentially traumatic impression,” Sidani said. “It also may be that socially isolated people lean toward social media use that involves negative interactions. It is probably a mix of both.”

a lonely man
For every 10 percent increase in negative experiences on social media, the participants reported a 13 percent increase in feelings of loneliness. However, for every 10 percent increase in positive experiences on social media, the participants reported no statistically significant change in feelings of loneliness. NeuroscienceNews.com image is in the public domain.

Although the research team recommends more study to further explain and replicate their research, the findings are strong enough to warrant efforts to intervene now to reduce feelings of loneliness associated with social media use.

“Health practitioners may encourage the public to be more cognizant and thoughtful regarding their online experiences, thereby interrupting a potential cycle of negative experiences and loneliness,” said Primack. “It may be useful to encourage awareness and education around positive and negative social media experiences.”

About this neuroscience research article

Additional authors on this research are Sabrina A. Karim, B.A., and Ariel Shensa, M.A., both of Pitt; and Nicholas Bowman, Ph.D., and Jennifer Knight, M.A., both of West Virginia University.

Funding: This research was funded by the Fine Foundation

Source: Allison Hydzik – University of Pittsburgh
Publisher: Organized by NeuroscienceNews.com.
Image Source: NeuroscienceNews.com image is in the public domain.
Original Research: Abstract for “Positive and Negative Experiences on Social Media and Perceived Social Isolation” by Brian A. Primack, Sabrina A. Karim, BA, Ariel Shensa, MA, Nicholas Bowman, PhD, Jennifer Knight, MA, and Jaime E. Sidani, PhD in American Journal of Health Promotion. Published January 21 2019.
doi:10.1177/0890117118824196

Cite This NeuroscienceNews.com Article

[cbtabs][cbtab title=”MLA”]University of Pittsburgh”Negative Experiences on Social Media Tied to Higher Odds of Feeling Lonely.” NeuroscienceNews. NeuroscienceNews, 22 January 2019.
<https://neurosciencenews.com/lonely-social-media-10616/>.[/cbtab][cbtab title=”APA”]University of Pittsburgh(2019, January 22). Negative Experiences on Social Media Tied to Higher Odds of Feeling Lonely. NeuroscienceNews. Retrieved January 22, 2019 from https://neurosciencenews.com/lonely-social-media-10616/[/cbtab][cbtab title=”Chicago”]University of Pittsburgh”Negative Experiences on Social Media Tied to Higher Odds of Feeling Lonely.” https://neurosciencenews.com/lonely-social-media-10616/ (accessed January 22, 2019).[/cbtab][/cbtabs]


Abstract

Positive and Negative Experiences on Social Media and Perceived Social Isolation

Purpose:
To examine the association between positive and negative experiences on social media (SM) and perceived social isolation (PSI).

Design:
Cross-sectional survey.

Setting:
One large mid-Atlantic University.

Participants:
A total of 1178 students aged 18 to 30 were recruited in August 2016.

Measures:
Participants completed an online survey assessing SM use and PSI. We assessed positive and negative experiences on SM by directly asking participants to estimate what percentage of their SM experiences involved positive and negative experiences, respectively. Social isolation was measured using the established Patient-Reported Outcomes Measures Information System scale.

Analysis:
We used multivariable logistic regression to assess associations between both positive and negative experiences on SM and PSI. Primary models controlled for sex, age, race/ethnicity, educational status, relationship status, and living situation.

Results:
Participants had an average age of 20.9 (standard deviation = 2.9) and were 62% female. Just over one-quarter (28%) were nonwhite. After controlling for all sociodemographic covariates, each 10% increase in positive experiences was not significantly associated with social isolation (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 0.97; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.93-1.005). However, each 10% increase in negative experiences was associated with a 13% increase in odds of PSI (AOR = 1.13; 95% CI: 1.05-1.21).

Conclusion:
Having positive experiences on SM is not associated with lower social isolation, whereas having negative experiences on SM is associated with higher social isolation. These findings are consistent with the concept of negativity bias, which suggests that humans tend to give greater weight to negative entities compared with positive ones.

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