Author:

Keywords:

Social Sciences, Psychology, Social, Psychology, Instagram, browsing, posting, liking, depressed mood, adolescence, GOODNESS-OF-FIT, CONFIRMATORY FACTOR-ANALYSIS, FACEBOOK USAGE, SOCIAL NETWORKING, LONELINESS, MANAGEMENT, SYMPTOMS, INDEXES, Adolescent, Adult, Child, Depression, Emotions, Female, Humans, Longitudinal Studies, Male, Netherlands, Social Media, Young Adult, 0806 Information Systems, 1701 Psychology, 1702 Cognitive Sciences, Clinical Psychology, 4609 Information systems, 5201 Applied and developmental psychology, 5205 Social and personality psychology

Abstract:

Although studies have shown that Instagram use and young adults’ mental health are cross-sectionally associated, longitudinal evidence is lacking. In addition, no study thus far examined this association, or the reverse, among adolescents. To address these gaps, we set up a longitudinal panel study among 12- to 19-year-old Flemish adolescents to investigate the reciprocal relationships between different types of Instagram use and depressed mood. Self-report data from 671 adolescent Instagram users (61% girls; MAge = 14.96; SD = 1.29) were used to examine our research question and test our hypotheses. Structural equation modeling showed that Instagram browsing at Time 1 was related to increases in adolescents’ depressed mood at Time 2. In addition, adolescents’ depressed mood at Time 1 was related to increases in Instagram posting at Time 2. These relationships were similar among boys and girls. Potential explanations for the study findings and suggestions for future research are discussed.