Posting photos that reflect positive aspects of everyday life on Instagram increases appreciation, life satisfaction, and happiness

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Authors
Smoktunowicz, Ewelina
Białobrzeska, Olga
Jakubik, Zuzanna
Monograph
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Date
2025-02
Publisher
Journal title
New Media and Society
Issue
3
Volume
27
Pages
Pages
1336-1359
DOI
ISSN
1461-4448
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https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/14614448231193092?icid=int.sj-abstract.citing-articles.4
Access date
2023-10-27
Abstract PL
Abstract EN
We conducted two studies to verify whether using Instagram to post photos that reflect positive aspects of one’s life increased appreciation and subsequently improved well-being. In the correlational Study 1, participants (N = 291) were regular users of Instagram, and in the randomized controlled trial Study 2 (N = 283), they were newcomers. We found that regular users are motivated to use Instagram to capture life’s positive moments, and their higher frequency of posting was associated with increased appreciation and, in turn, greater life satisfaction and happiness (Study 1). New users, regardless of whether they were instructed to post positive photos (experimental conditions) or not (control conditions), posted exactly this kind of content. The more positive the photos were, the higher participants’ appreciation, life satisfaction, and happiness (Study 2). Posting appreciative content on social media might have a beneficial impact on users’ well-being and become a foundation for future interventions.
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Keywords PL
Keywords EN
Instagram
appreciation
happiness
life satisfaction
motivation
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https://share.swps.edu.pl/handle/swps/110
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