Active Instagram Use and Its Association With Self-Esteem and Well-Being

Abstract

Over the last two decades, social media has become an integral facet of modern society. Image-based social networking sites such as Instagram have become increasingly popular among adolescents and young adults. However, to date, there is a preponderance of conflicting research regarding the impact of social media use, particularly of image-based platforms, on subsequent user outcomes. Utilizing a snowball sample of 359 college-aged individuals from throughout the United States, the present study sought to analyze the relationship between active social media use and its association with user self-esteem and well-being through data obtained through survey research from undergraduate college students. It was hypothesized that active Instagram use would be positively associated with user well-being and self-esteem. Not only was this hypothesis supported, but our findings reveal that intensity of Instagram use serves as a mediating variable in the relationship between active Instagram use and well-being and self-esteem. Specifically, respondents who identified as more active Instagram users used social media more intensely, and those who used social media more intensely had higher self-esteem. Similarly, those who used social media more intensely reported higher levels of well-being. While the correlations among these variables may be slight, we argue that they pose implications regarding how usage patterns impact user outcomes. These findings illustrate the role of intensity of Instagram usage on user outcomes and reveal a relationship among these variables, where more active Instagram use, coupled with more intense usage, ultimately corresponds to positive effects—specifically elevated levels of self-esteem and well-being.