Authentic social media users are happier
Authentic social media users are happier than those who prefer to pretend. Honesty on social platforms makes people more satisfied with their lives and has a positive effect on their mental well-being, as a study by Columbia University shows.
"When social media users are honest, they don't just show the good sides of their lives and admit when they are having a bad time. If they receive positive feedback, this confirms their true self. Praise for an embellished portrayal only leads to more deception. However, there are also people who only write about negative emotions and thus seek pity. Authentic users must express exactly what they really feel," recommends Stefan Caduff, Managing Director of the Lucerne-based media psychology institution Sapia in an interview with Press release.
The researchers examined 10,560 Facebook profiles. From the likes and status updates, they defined their personality traits according to the psychological "Big Five" model. It turned out that authentic openness and life satisfaction are related.
Idealized representation harms
In addition to the Facebook profiles, the team conducted an experiment with 90 students. Over a period of one week, the test subjects either had to post authentic content or maintain an idealized self-portrayal. The scientists then analyzed their state of mind in surveys. Here, too, it was shown that an honest attitude on the social web makes people significantly happier. "Whether using a platform helps or hurts depends on how you express yourself on it," explains study co-author Erica Bailey. (pte)
