@article{KrauseGrosseDetersBaumannetal.2022, author = {Krause, Hannes-Vincent and Große Deters, Fenne and Baumann, Annika and Krasnova, Hanna}, title = {Active social media use and its impact on well-being}, series = {Journal of computer-mediated communication : a journal of the International Communication Association}, volume = {28}, journal = {Journal of computer-mediated communication : a journal of the International Communication Association}, number = {1}, publisher = {Oxford Univ. Press}, address = {Oxford}, issn = {1083-6101}, doi = {10.1093/jcmc/zmac037}, pages = {12}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Active use of social networking sites (SNSs) has long been assumed to benefit users' well-being. However, this established hypothesis is increasingly being challenged, with scholars criticizing its lack of empirical support and the imprecise conceptualization of active use. Nevertheless, with considerable heterogeneity among existing studies on the hypothesis and causal evidence still limited, a final verdict on its robustness is still pending. To contribute to this ongoing debate, we conducted a week-long randomized control trial with N = 381 adult Instagram users recruited via Prolific. Specifically, we tested how active SNS use, operationalized as picture postings on Instagram, affects different dimensions of well-being. The results depicted a positive effect on users' positive affect but null findings for other well-being outcomes. The findings broadly align with the recent criticism against the active use hypothesis and support the call for a more nuanced view on the impact of SNSs.
Lay Summary Active use of social networking sites (SNSs) has long been assumed to benefit users' well-being. However, this established assumption is increasingly being challenged, with scholars criticizing its lack of empirical support and the imprecise conceptualization of active use. Nevertheless, with great diversity among conducted studies on the hypothesis and a lack of causal evidence, a final verdict on its viability is still pending. To contribute to this ongoing debate, we conducted a week-long experimental investigation with 381 adult Instagram users. Specifically, we tested how posting pictures on Instagram affects different aspects of well-being. The results of this study depicted a positive effect of posting Instagram pictures on users' experienced positive emotions but no effects on other aspects of well-being. The findings broadly align with the recent criticism against the active use hypothesis and support the call for a more nuanced view on the impact of SNSs on users.}, language = {en} } @misc{KrauseBaumBaumannetal.2019, author = {Krause, Hannes-Vincent and Baum, Katharina and Baumann, Annika and Krasnova, Hanna}, title = {Unifying the detrimental and beneficial effects of social network site use on self-esteem}, series = {Postprints der Universit{\"a}t Potsdam Humanwissenschaftliche Reihe}, journal = {Postprints der Universit{\"a}t Potsdam Humanwissenschaftliche Reihe}, number = {567}, issn = {1866-8364}, doi = {10.25932/publishup-43503}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-435037}, pages = {39}, year = {2019}, abstract = {Previous research offers equivocal results regarding the effect of social networking site use on individuals' self-esteem. We con- duct a systematic literature review to examine the existing litera- ture and develop a theoretical framework in order to classify the results. The framework proposes that self-esteem is affected by three distinct processes that incorporate self-evaluative informa- tion: social comparison processes, social feedback processing, and self-reflective processes. Due to particularities of the social networking site environment, the accessibility and quality of self- evaluative information is altered, which leads to online-specific effects on users' self-esteem. Results of the reviewed studies suggest that when a social networking site is used to compare oneself with others, it mostly results in decreases in users' self- esteem. On the other hand, receiving positive social feedback from others or using these platforms to reflect on one's own self is mainly associated with benefits for users' self-esteem. Nevertheless, inter-individual differences and the specific activ- ities performed by users on these platforms should be considered when predicting individual effects.}, language = {en} } @article{CingelCarterKrause2022, author = {Cingel, Drew and Carter, Michael C. C. and Krause, Hannes-Vincent}, title = {Social media and self-esteem}, series = {Current opinion in psychology}, volume = {45}, journal = {Current opinion in psychology}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Amsterdam}, issn = {2352-250X}, doi = {10.1016/j.copsyc.2022.101304}, pages = {6}, year = {2022}, abstract = {The relationship between social media and self-esteem is complex, as studies tend to find a mixed pattern of relationships and meta-analyses tend to find small, albeit significant, magnitudes of statistical effects. One explanation is that social media use does not affect self-esteem for the majority of users, while small minorities experience either positive or negative effects, as evidenced by recent research calculating person specific within-person effects. This suggests that the true relationship between social media use and self-esteem is person-specific and based on individual susceptibilities and uses. In recognition of these advancements, we review recent empirical studies considering differential uses and moderating variables in the social media-self-esteem relationship, and conclude by discussing opportunities for future social media effects research.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{KrauseGrosseDetersBaumann2020, author = {Krause, Hannes-Vincent and Große Deters, Fenne and Baumann, Annika}, title = {The envy spiral}, series = {Proceedings of the 28th European Conference on Information Systems (ECIS) : ECIS 2020 Research-in-Progress Papers}, booktitle = {Proceedings of the 28th European Conference on Information Systems (ECIS) : ECIS 2020 Research-in-Progress Papers}, publisher = {AIS Electronic Library (AISeL)}, address = {[Erscheinungsort nicht ermittelbar]}, isbn = {978-1-7336325-1-5}, year = {2020}, abstract = {On Social Networking Sites (SNS) users disclose mostly positive and often self-enhancing information. Scholars refer to this phenomenon as the positivity bias in SNS communication (PBSC). However, while theoretical explanations for this phenomenon have been proposed, an empirical proof of these theorized mechanisms is still missing. The project presented in this Research-in-Progress paper aims at explaining the PBSC with the mechanism specified in the self-enhancement envy spiral. Specifically, we hypothesize that feelings of envy drive people to post positive and self-enhancing content on SNS. To test this hypothesis, we developed an experimental design allowing to examine the causal effect of envy on the positivity of users' subsequently posted content. In a preliminary study, we tested our manipulation of envy and could show its effectiveness in inducing different levels of envy between our groups. Our project will help to broaden the understanding of the complex dynamics of SNS and the potentially adverse driving forces underlying them.}, language = {en} } @article{MeythalerKrauseBaumannetal.2023, author = {Meythaler, Antonia and Krause, Hannes-Vincent and Baumann, Annika and Krasnova, Hanna and Thatcher, Jason Bennett}, title = {The rise of metric-based digital status}, series = {European Journal of Information Systems}, journal = {European Journal of Information Systems}, publisher = {Taylor and Francis}, address = {London}, issn = {0960-085X}, doi = {10.1080/0960085X.2023.2290707}, pages = {1 -- 28}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Widespread on social networking sites (SNSs), envy has been linked to an array of detrimental outcomes for users' well-being. While envy has been considered a status-related emotion and is likely to be experienced in response to perceiving another's higher status, there is a lack of research exploring how status perceptions influence the emergence of envy on SNSs. This is important because SNSs typically quantify social interactions and reach with metrics that indicate users' relative rank and status in the network. To understand how status perceptions impact SNS users, we introduce a new form of metric-based digital status rooted in SNS metrics that are available and visible on a platform. Drawing on social comparison theory and status literature, we conducted an online experiment to investigate how different forms of status contribute to the proliferation of envy on SNSs. Our findings shed light on how metric-based digital status influences feelings of envy on SNSs. Specifically, we could show that metric-based digital status impacts envy through increasing perceptions of others' socioeconomic and sociometric statuses. Our study contributes to the growing discourse on the negative outcomes associated with SNS use and its consequences for users and society.}, language = {en} } @article{MeierKrause2022, author = {Meier, Adrian and Krause, Hannes-Vincent}, title = {Does passive social media use harm well-being?}, series = {Journal of media psychology}, volume = {35}, journal = {Journal of media psychology}, number = {3}, publisher = {Hogrefe}, address = {G{\"o}ttingen}, issn = {1864-1105}, doi = {10.1027/1864-1105/a000358}, pages = {169 -- 180}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Research into the effects of social media on well-being often distinguishes "active" and "passive" use, with passive use supposedly more harmful to well-being (i.e., the passive use hypothesis). Recently, several studies and reviews have begun to question this hypothesis and its conceptual basis, the active/passive dichotomy. As this dichotomy has become a staple of social media research but evidence challenging its validity is mounting, a comprehensive debate on its pros, cons, and potential future is needed. This adversarial review brings together two voices - one more supportive, and the other more critical - toward the active/passive model. In constructive dialogue, we summarize and contrast our two opposing positions: The first position argues that the active/passive dichotomy is a useful framework because it adequately describes how and why passive use is (more) harmful for well-being. The second position challenges the validity of the dichotomy and the passive use hypothesis specifically. Arguments are presented alongside (a) the empirical basis, (b) conceptualization, and (c) operationalization of active and passive use, with particular focus on the passive use hypothesis. Rather than offering a conciliatory summary of the status quo, the goal of this review is to carve out key points of friction in the literature on the effects of social media through fruitful debate. We summarize our main agreements and unresolved disagreements on the merits and shortcomings of the active/passive dichotomy. In doing so, this review paves the way for researchers to decide whether and how they want to continue applying this lens in their future work.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{KrauseBaumann2021, author = {Krause, Hannes-Vincent and Baumann, Annika}, title = {The devil in disguise}, series = {ICIS 2021: user behaviors, engagement, and consequences}, booktitle = {ICIS 2021: user behaviors, engagement, and consequences}, publisher = {AIS Electronic Library (AISeL)}, address = {[Erscheinungsort nicht ermittelbar]}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Envy constitutes a serious issue on Social Networking Sites (SNSs), as this painful emotion can severely diminish individuals' well-being. With prior research mainly focusing on the affective consequences of envy in the SNS context, its behavioral consequences remain puzzling. While negative interactions among SNS users are an alarming issue, it remains unclear to which extent the harmful emotion of malicious envy contributes to these toxic dynamics. This study constitutes a first step in understanding malicious envy's causal impact on negative interactions within the SNS sphere. Within an online experiment, we experimentally induce malicious envy and measure its immediate impact on users' negative behavior towards other users. Our findings show that malicious envy seems to be an essential factor fueling negativity among SNS users and further illustrate that this effect is especially pronounced when users are provided an objective factor to mask their envy and justify their norm-violating negative behavior.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{HannesVincent2022, author = {Hannes-Vincent, Krause}, title = {Social networking site use and well-being - a nuanced understanding of a complex relationship}, school = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Social Networking Sites (SNSs) are ubiquitous and attract an enormous chair of the digital population. Their functionalities allow users to connect and interact with others and weave complex social networks in which social information is continuously disseminated between users. Besides the social value SNSs are generating, they likewise attract companies and allow for new forms of marketing, thereby creating considerable economic value alike. However, as SNSs grew in popularity, so did concerns about the impact of their use on social interactions in general and the well-being of individual users in particular. While existing scientific evidence points to both risk as well as benefits of SNS use, research still lacks a profound understanding of which aspects of SNSs enable an impact on well-being and which psychological processes on the part of the users underly and explain this relationship. Therefore, this thesis is dedicated to an in-depth exploration of the relationship between SNS use and well-being and aims to answer how SNS use can impact well-being. Primarily, it focuses on the unique technological features that characterize SNSs and enable potential well- being alterations and on specific psychological processes on the part of the users, underlying and explaining the relationship. For this purpose, the thesis first introduces the concept of well- being. It continues by presenting SNSs' unique technological features, divided into specifics of the content disseminated on SNSs and the network structure of SNSs. Further, the thesis introduces three classes of psychological processes assumed most relevant for the relationship between SNSs and well-being: other-focused, self-focused, and contrastive processes.. It is assumed that the course and quality of these common processes change in the SNS context and that a complex interplay between the unique features of SNSs and these processes determines how SNSs may ultimately affect users' well-being - both in positive and negative ways. The dissertation comprises seven research articles, each of which focusses on a particular set of SNS characteristics, their interplay with one or more of the proposed psychological processes, and ultimately the resulting effects on user well-being or its key resilience and risk factors. The seven articles investigate this relationship using different methodological approaches. Three articles are based on either systematic or narrative literature reviews, one applies an empirical cross-sectional research design, and three articles present an experimental investigation. Thematically, two articles revolve around SNS use's effect on self-esteem. Three articles examine the specific role of the emotion of envy and its potential to establish and perpetuate a well-being-damaging social climate on SNSs. The two last articles of this thesis revolve around the established assumption that active and passive SNS use, as different modalities of SNS use, cause differential effects on users' well-being due to the involvement of different psychological processes. The results of this thesis illustrate different ways how SNSs can affect users' well-being. The results suggest that especially contrastive processes play a decisive role in explaining potential well-being risks for SNS users. Their interplay with certain SNS features seems to foster upward social comparisons and feelings of envy, potentially leading to a complex set of deleterious effects on users' well-being. At the same time, the findings illuminate ways in which SNSs can benefit users and their self-esteem - especially when SNS use promotes self- focused and social-feedback-based other-focused processes. The thesis and their findings illustrate that the relationship between SNSs and well-being is complex. Therefore, a nuanced perspective, taking into consideration both the technological uniqueness of SNSs and the psychological processes they are enabling, is crucial to understand how these technologies affect their users in good and potentially harmful ways. On the one hand, the gathered insights contribute to research, providing novel insights into the complex relationship between SNS use and well-being. On the other hand, the results enable a focused and action-oriented derivation of recommendations for stakeholders such as individual users, policymakers, and platform providers. The findings of this thesis can help them to better combat SNS-related risks and ultimately ensure a healthy and sustainable environment for users - and thus also the economic values of SNSs - in the long term.}, language = {en} }