Parry DA, Fisher JT, Mieczkowski H, Sewall CJR, Davidson BI. Social media and well-being: A methodological perspective.
Curr Opin Psychol 2022;
45:101285. [PMID:
35008029 PMCID:
PMC9167894 DOI:
10.1016/j.copsyc.2021.11.005]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2021] [Revised: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Due to the methodological challenges inherent in studying social media use (SMU), as well as the methodological choices that have shaped research into the effects of SMU on well-being, clear conclusions regarding relationships between SMU and well-being remain elusive. We provide a review of five methodological developments poised to provide increased understanding in this domain: (a) increased use of longitudinal and experimental designs; (b) the adoption of behavioural (rather than self-report) measures of SMU; (c) focusing on more nuanced aspects of SMU; (d) embracing effect heterogeneity; and (e) the use of formal modelling and machine learning. We focus on how these advances stand to bring us closer to understanding relations between SMU and well-being, as well as the challenges associated with these developments.
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