Effects of a 14-day social media abstinence on mental health and well-being: results from an experimental study
Abstract Background and aim The study investigated the effects of a 14-day social media abstinence on various mental health factors using an experimental design with follow-up assessment. Hypotheses included positive associations between problematic smartphone use (PSU) and depression, anxiety, fear...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2024-03-01
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| Series: | BMC Psychology |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-024-01611-1 |
| _version_ | 1827315665610997760 |
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| author | Lea C. de Hesselle Christian Montag |
| author_facet | Lea C. de Hesselle Christian Montag |
| author_sort | Lea C. de Hesselle |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background and aim The study investigated the effects of a 14-day social media abstinence on various mental health factors using an experimental design with follow-up assessment. Hypotheses included positive associations between problematic smartphone use (PSU) and depression, anxiety, fear of missing out (FoMO), and screentime. Decreases in screentime, PSU, depression and anxiety, and increases in body image were assumed for the abstinence group. Additionally, daily changes in FoMO and loneliness were explored. Methods Participants completed different questionnaires assessing PSU, FoMO, depression and anxiety, loneliness and body image and were randomized into control and social media abstinence groups. Daily questionnaires over 14 days assessed FoMO, loneliness, screentime, and depression and anxiety. 14 days after the abstinence, a follow-up questionnaire was administered. Multilevel models were used to assess changes over time. Results PSU was positively associated with symptoms of depression, anxiety and FoMO, but not with screentime. Spline models identified decreased screentime and body image dissatisfaction for the intervention group. Depression and anxiety symptoms, PSU, trait and state FoMO, and loneliness, showed a decrease during the overall intervention time but no difference between the investigated groups could be observed (hence this was an overall trend). For appearance evaluation and body area satisfaction, an increase in both groups was seen. Daily changes in both loneliness and FoMO were best modelled using cubic trends, but no group differences were significant. Discussion Results provide insights into effects of not using social media for 14 days and show that screentime and body image dissatisfaction decrease. The study also suggests areas for future studies to better understand how and why interventions show better results for some individuals. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-24T23:01:19Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-3a420ce1c81a4e4cb75040d6e1debbcf |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2050-7283 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-24T23:01:19Z |
| publishDate | 2024-03-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Psychology |
| spelling | doaj.art-3a420ce1c81a4e4cb75040d6e1debbcf2024-03-17T12:42:29ZengBMCBMC Psychology2050-72832024-03-0112111910.1186/s40359-024-01611-1Effects of a 14-day social media abstinence on mental health and well-being: results from an experimental studyLea C. de Hesselle0Christian Montag1Department of Molecular Psychology, Institute of Psychology and Education, Ulm UniversityDepartment of Molecular Psychology, Institute of Psychology and Education, Ulm UniversityAbstract Background and aim The study investigated the effects of a 14-day social media abstinence on various mental health factors using an experimental design with follow-up assessment. Hypotheses included positive associations between problematic smartphone use (PSU) and depression, anxiety, fear of missing out (FoMO), and screentime. Decreases in screentime, PSU, depression and anxiety, and increases in body image were assumed for the abstinence group. Additionally, daily changes in FoMO and loneliness were explored. Methods Participants completed different questionnaires assessing PSU, FoMO, depression and anxiety, loneliness and body image and were randomized into control and social media abstinence groups. Daily questionnaires over 14 days assessed FoMO, loneliness, screentime, and depression and anxiety. 14 days after the abstinence, a follow-up questionnaire was administered. Multilevel models were used to assess changes over time. Results PSU was positively associated with symptoms of depression, anxiety and FoMO, but not with screentime. Spline models identified decreased screentime and body image dissatisfaction for the intervention group. Depression and anxiety symptoms, PSU, trait and state FoMO, and loneliness, showed a decrease during the overall intervention time but no difference between the investigated groups could be observed (hence this was an overall trend). For appearance evaluation and body area satisfaction, an increase in both groups was seen. Daily changes in both loneliness and FoMO were best modelled using cubic trends, but no group differences were significant. Discussion Results provide insights into effects of not using social media for 14 days and show that screentime and body image dissatisfaction decrease. The study also suggests areas for future studies to better understand how and why interventions show better results for some individuals.https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-024-01611-1Social mediaAbstinenceBody imageFoMOPSULoneliness |
| spellingShingle | Lea C. de Hesselle Christian Montag Effects of a 14-day social media abstinence on mental health and well-being: results from an experimental study BMC Psychology Social media Abstinence Body image FoMO PSU Loneliness |
| title | Effects of a 14-day social media abstinence on mental health and well-being: results from an experimental study |
| title_full | Effects of a 14-day social media abstinence on mental health and well-being: results from an experimental study |
| title_fullStr | Effects of a 14-day social media abstinence on mental health and well-being: results from an experimental study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Effects of a 14-day social media abstinence on mental health and well-being: results from an experimental study |
| title_short | Effects of a 14-day social media abstinence on mental health and well-being: results from an experimental study |
| title_sort | effects of a 14 day social media abstinence on mental health and well being results from an experimental study |
| topic | Social media Abstinence Body image FoMO PSU Loneliness |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-024-01611-1 |
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