PATHWAY LINKING INSTAGRAM USE TO SOCIAL ANXIETY: A MEDIATED STUDY IN SINGAPORE CONSIDERING SOCIAL COMPARISON AND SELF-ESTEEM

Abstract

Social media uptake has experienced an exceptional spike over the last decade. However, it is uncertain if social networking results in individuals being more or less psychologically healthy. The current paper investigated a mediated model linking Instagram use to social anxiety in the context of Singapore, with Street’s (2003) three-stage health promotion model as a framework. The findings demonstrate that Instagram use fails to directly affect social anxiety. Instead, social comparison, a proximal outcome, and self-esteem, an intermediate outcome were mediators in the relationship. These insights can be used as a directing framework for future studies examining the socio-psychological effects of new media on emotional health outcomes.