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Social Sciences
Special Issues
Impact of Social Media on Health and Well-Being
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Impact of Social Media on Health and Well-Being

A special issue of Social Sciences (ISSN 2076-0760).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (18 December 2024) | Viewed by 5278

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Lauren Walker

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Psychology Department, School of Social Sciences, Humanities & Law, Teesside University, Middlesbrough TS1 3BX, UK
Interests: using social media-based health information in health-related decision making; trust and social media-based health information; social media influencers disseminating health information; the impact of social media on consumers health; psychophysiological benefits of green and blue space virtual reality
Dr. Robert Portman

E-Mail Website
Co-Guest Editor
Psychology Department, School of Social Sciences, Humanities & Law, Teesside University, Middlesbrough TS1 3BX, UK
Interests: social identity approach to health & wellbeing; health behaviour change

Special Issue Information

Dear colleagues,

In this Special Issue, we aim to address the impact of social media on the health and well-being of users. The pervasive use of social media has become an integral aspect of our daily lives. Whilst its use can foster connectivity and information exchange on an unprecedented scale, it also raises critical questions about its impact on health and wellbeing. As guest editors, we are keen to further collate the work that has been undertaken in this area.

We are seeking submissions including (but not limited to) the following topics. Other submissions involving the impact of social media and wellbeing will also be considered.

  • How is social media used to support and facilitate health decision making?
  • How do people communicate about health on social media?
  • The role of social media influencers disseminating health information on social media.
  • How and why do people trust health information sourced online?
  • How is social media used to create online social identities in health-related domains?
  • The use of social media across one’s lifespan.
  • The relationship between young people’s social media use and health-related outcomes.
  • How bullying is experienced online.
  • The use of social media for self-expression.
  • The role of social media in fostering or hindering social support networks.
  • Interventions and strategies to mitigate potential negative effects of social media on well-being.

Dr. Lauren Walker
Dr. Robert Portman
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a double-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Social Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1800 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • social media
  • health
  • well-being
  • health decision making
  • social identity
  • health outcomes
  • social media interventions
  • online communities

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

9 pages, 292 KiB  
Article
Association of Social Media Addiction, Weight Perception, and Lifestyle in Mexican Nursing Students
by Vanessa Patiño-Jaimes, María Camila Giraldo-Suarez, Geu S. Mendoza-Catalán, Julieta Angel-Garcia, Diego Estrada-Luna and Angélica Saraí Jiménez-Osorio
Soc. Sci. 2024, 13(12), 673; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci13120673 - 13 Dec 2024
Viewed by 399
Abstract
In recent years, there has been a reported significative increase in social media addiction (SMA), associated with unhealthy lifestyle habits. To analyze the association between SMA, lifestyle, and weight perception among Mexican nursing students, a cross-sectional, correlational study was conducted among undergraduate and [...] Read more.
In recent years, there has been a reported significative increase in social media addiction (SMA), associated with unhealthy lifestyle habits. To analyze the association between SMA, lifestyle, and weight perception among Mexican nursing students, a cross-sectional, correlational study was conducted among undergraduate and graduate students over 18 years old. The survey was administered via Google Forms and distributed through Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram from June to August 2023. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and a multiple linear regression model with SPSS. A total of 255 students participated, 80.0% of whom were women, and 86.2% were undergraduate students. The average social media addiction score was 25.6 (SD = 14.0). Of the participants, 49.8% reported a dangerous-to-fair lifestyle, while 50.2% reported a good-to-excellent lifestyle. Social media addiction was negatively correlated with lifestyle (rs = −0.496, p < 0.001). In the multiple linear regression model, social media addiction, perception of body weight, and students who work explained 32.5% of the lifestyle variance. Students who reported higher levels of social media addiction tended to have less healthy lifestyles. It is important to consider the detection of social media addiction and its potential long-term health implications for nursing students. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Impact of Social Media on Health and Well-Being)
15 pages, 483 KiB  
Article
Social Media Use and Associations with Psychological Distress Among Older Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic
by Hege Ragnhildsløkken, Tore Bonsaksen, Eivind Aakhus, Isaac Kabelenga, Gary Lamph, Daicia Price and Amy Østertun Geirdal
Soc. Sci. 2024, 13(12), 634; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci13120634 - 25 Nov 2024
Viewed by 889
Abstract
Social media may have the double potential to support and undermine mental health, and research is needed to investigate these relationships in age-specified populations. The purpose of this study was to investigate associations between the use of social media and psychological distress among [...] Read more.
Social media may have the double potential to support and undermine mental health, and research is needed to investigate these relationships in age-specified populations. The purpose of this study was to investigate associations between the use of social media and psychological distress among older adults (60 years and above) both nine and 19 months after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. An online repeated cross-sectional survey was conducted in Australia, Norway, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Participants (9 months: n = 679; 19 months: n = 238) reported the extent of social media use, motives for using social media, and level of psychological distress using the 12-item version of the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12). The data were analysed with descriptive analyses, independent t-tests and multiple linear regression analyses. Time spent on social media was not associated with psychological distress. Higher psychological distress was associated with higher scores on using social media to ‘reduce loneliness’ at both measurement points. At nine months, higher psychological distress was associated with higher scores on using social media for ‘entertainment’, but the association was not statistically significant at 19 months. Psychological distress was associated with the motive to ‘maintain relationships’ at 19 months, but not at nine months. Guidance for older adults’ use of social media should emphasise how they can be used to promote communication and maintain existing relationships. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Impact of Social Media on Health and Well-Being)
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16 pages, 1760 KiB  
Article
“Is There Something Wrong with What I Asked”? Digital Strategies for Achieving and Safeguarding Social Capital and Identity in a Facebook Support Group for Israeli Parents
by Shirley Ben-Shlomo, Dikla Rosenblat-Gadish and Noga Levin-Keini
Soc. Sci. 2024, 13(10), 511; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci13100511 - 27 Sep 2024
Viewed by 563
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate how a Facebook support group for parents of young children (ages 0–6) defines its boundaries and evaluates the acceptability of its members and content to safeguard the group’s social capital and identity. Adopting a qualitative critical content analysis [...] Read more.
This study aimed to investigate how a Facebook support group for parents of young children (ages 0–6) defines its boundaries and evaluates the acceptability of its members and content to safeguard the group’s social capital and identity. Adopting a qualitative critical content analysis approach, this research examined the discourse within the Sane and Rational (S&R) Parents group. This group, which had more than 12,000 members, describes itself as an alternative to groups that address parenting problems through “homeopathy, talismans, energies, and communicating with past incarnations”. Common subjects addressed by the group included medical issues, sleeping problems, potty training, child behavior, and nutrition. For the purpose of this study, a representative sample of 10 discourses (out of 118) that appeared during the research period was selected. The analysis considered group discourse, including both verbal and non-verbal elements such as emojis. Three central themes were revealed: (1) exclusion of participants through rules and emojis; (2) filtering posts as a mechanism for defining in-group and out-group boundaries; and (3) division of roles as a tool for distinguishing between those who do and do not belong. This study identifies power-based digital strategies used by a Facebook parent group to maintain its social capital and identity. It also highlights how verbal and non-verbal communication shapes, and is shaped by, group relationships. Practically, the findings offer tools for professionals to better understand how parental support needs are met in the digital age, emphasizing the importance of face-to-face interventions for those who feel excluded from dominant social identities. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Impact of Social Media on Health and Well-Being)
18 pages, 662 KiB  
Article
A Cognitive Map of Sexual Violence Victims’ Decision-Making: Understanding the Preference for Social Media over Formal Legal Avenues—Insights from Media Consultants
by Hila Nadav-Carmel and Azi Lev-On
Soc. Sci. 2024, 13(9), 480; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci13090480 - 10 Sep 2024
Viewed by 1319
Abstract
This study delves into the complex decision-making processes of sexual violence survivors regarding public disclosure of their experiences. By constructing a cognitive map from interviews with ten media consultants, this research highlights that survivors often prefer seeking justice through social media rather than [...] Read more.
This study delves into the complex decision-making processes of sexual violence survivors regarding public disclosure of their experiences. By constructing a cognitive map from interviews with ten media consultants, this research highlights that survivors often prefer seeking justice through social media rather than legal channels. This study was conducted in Israel, and it underscores the importance survivors place on the disclosure process itself, valuing voice and respect over the outcome. This research, part of a larger project that includes interviews with victims, focuses on the choice between social media and institutional channels, analyzing cognitive processes through the lens of media consultants. While the constructed cognitive map provides a clear framework for understanding the decisions made by survivors of sexual violence, it simplifies complex emotional and psychological factors. Future research may enhance this map by incorporating a deeper analysis of survivors’ internal conflicts and the interplay between emotional coping mechanisms and external pressures to disclose their experiences. From background conversations with survivors, it was understood that two main factors influence their decision: the process versus the outcome and whether to turn to social media or institutional channels. This nuanced approach provides valuable insights into the specific choices made by survivors when determining where to disclose their assaults. By designing this cognitive map, this study helps understand the needs and priorities of the survivors, such as the importance of voice, respect, and the nature of the disclosure process, and aims to aid future research and decision makers in better understanding and supporting the decision-making processes of sexual violence survivor. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Impact of Social Media on Health and Well-Being)
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15 pages, 1051 KiB  
Article
Examining the Impact of Virtual Health Influencers on Young Adults’ Willingness to Engage in Liver Cancer Prevention: Insights from Parasocial Relationship Theory
by Donghwa Chung, Jiaqi Wang and Yanfang Meng
Soc. Sci. 2024, 13(6), 319; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci13060319 - 17 Jun 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1240
Abstract
The emergence of virtual influencers and AI doctors has significantly increased the attention of Chinese users, especially their health awareness and cancer health literacy. In our current study, guided by parasocial relationship theory, we examined the psychological antecedents that influence Chinese young adults’ [...] Read more.
The emergence of virtual influencers and AI doctors has significantly increased the attention of Chinese users, especially their health awareness and cancer health literacy. In our current study, guided by parasocial relationship theory, we examined the psychological antecedents that influence Chinese young adults’ willingness to engage in liver cancer prevention. Specifically, we aimed to examine the mediated mechanism of reduced unrealistic optimism within this relationship. A total of 252 respondents participated in this study, and the valid data were analyzed using hierarchical regression and mediation analysis to test our hypotheses. The results demonstrated three positive correlations between psychological factors (including perceived severity, parasocial relationship, and response efficacy) and Chinese young adults’ willingness to engage in liver cancer prevention. Furthermore, we found that reduced unrealistic optimism mediated these relationships. These findings provide valuable practical insights for Chinese health departments and experts to develop effective health campaign strategies that utilize multiple media platforms for optimal promotion. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Impact of Social Media on Health and Well-Being)
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