Social media's double-edged sword: New study links both active and passive use to rising loneliness

(Press-News.org) "The Epidemic of Loneliness: A Nine-Year Longitudinal Study of the Impact of Passive and Active Social Media Use on Loneliness" investigated how social media use impacts loneliness over time.  This eye-opening research suggests that the very platforms designed to bring us together contribute to an "epidemic of loneliness."

The findings showed that both passive (PSMU) and active (ASMU) social media use were associated with increased feelings of loneliness over time. While passive social media use—like browsing without interaction—predictable lead to heightened loneliness, active use, involving posting and engaging with others, was also linked to increased feelings of loneliness. These results suggest that the quality of digital interactions may not fulfill the social needs that are met in face-to-face communication.

“This research underscores the complexity of social media’s impact on mental health,” said primary investigator James A. Roberts, Ph.D. “While social media offers unprecedented access to online communities, it appears that extensive use—whether active or passive—does not alleviate feelings of loneliness and may, in fact, intensify them.”

The study also found a two-way relationship between loneliness and social media use.  "It appears that a continuous feedback loop exists between the two,” Roberts, Ph.D.  “Lonely people turn to social media to address their feelings, but it is possible that such social media use merely fans the flames of loneliness."​

The findings emphasize an urgent need for further research into the effects of digital interaction, underlining the essential role of in-person connections in supporting well-being. This study adds a valuable perspective to the conversation on how digital habits influence mental health, offering insights to shape future mental health initiatives, policies, and guidelines for healthier social media use.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

JAMES A. ROBERTS, PH.D.

James A. Roberts, Ph.D., is The Ben H. Williams Professor of Marketing at Baylor University’s Hankamer School of Business. A noted consumer behavior expert, he is among the "World's Top 2%" most-cited scientists in a database compiled by Stanford University. In addition to journal citations, Roberts has often been called upon by national media outlets for his consumer expertise and latest research. He has appeared on the CBS Early Show, ABC World News Tonight, ABC Good Morning America, NBC’s TODAY Show and NPR’s Morning Edition, as well as in articles in The New York Times, USA TODAY, The Wall Street Journal, TIME and many others.

Roberts’ research has focused on how individual consumer attitudes and behavior impact personal and collective well-being. His research has investigated the factors that drive ecologically and socially conscious consumer behavior, the impact of materialism and compulsive buying on well-being and the impact of smartphone and social media use on personal well-being. He is the author of “Shiny Objects: Why We Spend Money We Don’t Have in Search of Happiness We Can’t Buy” and “Too Much of a Good Thing: Are You Addicted to Your Smartphone?”

PHIL D. YOUNG

Phil D. Young serves as the graduate program director for the Master’s in Business Analytics program at Baylor University’s Hankamer School of Business, where he oversees initiatives designed to foster partnerships between the university and the broader business community.

MEREDITH E. DAVID, Ph.D.

Meredith E. David, Ph.D., is an associate professor of Marketing Baylor University’s Hankamer School of Business.   Her research focuses on marketing strategies with an emphasis on consumer behavior and well-being. Recently, her research has explored how new media technologies, including smartphones, impact personal and workplace relationships. Dr. David has also published research related to customized pricing tactics, interpersonal attachment styles, and the pursuit of health goals.

Her research appears in numerous journals including the Journal of Business Research, Journal of the Association for Consumer Research, Journal of Advertising, European Journal of Marketing, and Psychology & Marketing, among others. Dr. David has been interviewed and quoted for her research in many national and international news outlets, including ABC News, Fox News, Oprah.com, Redbook Magazine, Consumer Reports, and Health Magazine, among others. She has also worked on several consulting projects for large consumer product goods companies, including Hanesbrands and Idahoan Potatoes.

ABOUT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY

Baylor University is a private Christian University and a nationally ranked Research 1 institution. The University provides a vibrant campus community for more than 20,000 students by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship. Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor is the oldest continually operating University in Texas. Located in Waco, Baylor welcomes students from all 50 states and more than 100 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 12 nationally recognized academic divisions. Learn more about Baylor University at www.baylor.edu.

ABOUT THE HANKAMER SCHOOL OF BUSINESS

Baylor University’s Hankamer School of Business strives to further God’s kingdom through the realm of business, using God-given gifts and academic talents to do so. Faculty and students conduct purposeful research and participate in experiential learning opportunities, all while operating in a Christ-centered mission. Undergraduate students can choose from 13 major areas of study. Graduate students can earn their MBA on their terms, either through the full-time, online or a Dallas-based executive program. The Business School also offers three Ph.D. programs in Information Systems, Entrepreneurship or Health Services Research. The School’s top-ranked programs make up approximately 25% of the University’s total enrollment. Visit the Hankamer School of Business website for more information.

 

 

END