TY  - THES
A1  - Hannes-Vincent, Krause
T1  - Social networking site use and well-being - a nuanced understanding of a complex relationship
N2  - 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.
KW  - social networking sites
KW  - well-being
KW  - social media
KW  - self-esteem
KW  - envy
Y1  - 2022
ER  - 
TY  - JOUR
A1  - Krause, Hannes-Vincent
A1  - Große Deters, Fenne
A1  - Baumann, Annika
A1  - Krasnova, Hanna
T1  - Active social media use and its impact on well-being
BT  - an experimental study on the effects of posting pictures on Instagram
JF  - Journal of computer-mediated communication : a journal of the International Communication Association
N2  - 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. <br /> 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.
KW  - social networking sites
KW  - social media
KW  - Instagram
KW  - well-being
KW  - experiment
KW  - randomized control trial
Y1  - 2022
U6  - https://doi.org/10.1093/jcmc/zmac037
SN  - 1083-6101
VL  - 28
IS  - 1
PB  - Oxford Univ. Press
CY  - Oxford
ER  - 
TY  - CHAP
A1  - Köster, Antonia
A1  - Krasnova, Hanna
A1  - Tarafdar, Monideepa
T1  - Visual normalization of the thin ideal
BT  - Instagram use and biased perception of average body weight
T2  - Wirtschaftsinformatik 2022 Proceedings: track 21
N2  - Visual Social Networking Sites (SNSs) enable users to present themselves favorably to gain likes and the attention of others. Especially, Instagram is known for its focus on beauty, fitness, fashion, and dietary topics. Although a large body of research reports negative weight-related outcomes of SNS usage (e.g., body dissatisfaction, body image concerns), studies examining how SNS usage relates to these outcomes are scarce. Based on the visual normalization theory, we argue that SNS content facilitates normalization of so-called thin- and fit-ideals, thereby leading to biased perceptions of the average body weight in society. Therefore, this study tests whether Instagram use is associated with perceiving that the average person weighs less. Responses of 181 survey participants confirm that Instagram use is negatively related to average weight perception of both women and men. These findings contribute to the growing body of research on how SNS use relates to negative weight-related outcomes.
KW  - social networking sites
KW  - Instragram
KW  - weight perception
KW  - visual normalization theory
Y1  - 2022
UR  - https://aisel.aisnet.org/wi2022/social_media/social/1
PB  - AIS Electronic Library (AISeL)
CY  - [Erscheinungsort nicht ermittelbar]
ER  - 
TY  - JOUR
A1  - Meythaler, Antonia
A1  - Krause, Hannes-Vincent
A1  - Baumann, Annika
A1  - Krasnova, Hanna
A1  - Thatcher, Jason Bennett
T1  - The rise of metric-based digital status
BT  - an empirical investigation into the role of status perceptions in envy on social networking sites
JF  - European Journal of Information Systems
N2  - 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.
KW  - social networking sites
KW  - metric-based digital status
KW  - social comparisons
KW  - social status
KW  - envy
KW  - experiment
Y1  - 2023
U6  - https://doi.org/10.1080/0960085X.2023.2290707
SN  - 0960-085X
SN  - 1476-9344
SP  - 1
EP  - 28
PB  - Taylor and Francis
CY  - London
ER  - 
TY  - THES
A1  - Teitscheid, Jana
T1  - Information and communication technologies usage and the effects on the human mind
N2  - The digitization has permeated almost all aspects of an individual’s life. In the work context as well as in the private sphere, one readily encounters and relies on Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), such as Social Networking Sites (SNS), smartphones and so forth. By communicating with as well as obtaining information via such technologies, ICTs engage one’s mind as interaction happens. This interaction of ICTs and the human mind form the focal topic of this thesis. Within this thesis, the human mind is represented on behalf of a facilitated model comprising a perceptual, a cognitive and a motor subsystem. ICTs represent an external stimulus, which triggers the human mind's perceptual subsystem, the cognitive subsystem and eventually leads to a motoric response via the motor subsystem. The external stimulus causing this event chain is within this thesis an ICT. The digital environment and related ICTs are high attention environments offering large and easily accessible amounts of information. Not surprisingly, issues may arise, when the human mind deals with ICTs. Thus, the interplay between ICTs and the human mind entails downsides. This thesis investigates these downsides and in addition the ICT-based factors that cause these downsides. More specifically, the thesis investigates these two aspects as research questions in the context of SNSs as well as other ICTs (such as smartphones, e-learning etc.). Addressing the research questions, 8 articles are submitted within this thesis which address the topic with different methodologies, including quantitative, qualitative, mixed methods as well as systematic literature reviews. Article 1 investigates factors that lead to SNS fatigue and discontinuance intentions in a mixed-methods design. Article 2 explores if certain factors encountered on a newsfeed hamper sensemaking. Article 3 proposes a study design to explore the link between disorderly perceptions of a SNSs newsfeed and gender stereotype activations. Article 4 considers the interplay between users and algorithms via the newsfeed interface and the implications for relevance perceptions. Article 5 explores information acquisition, hampering factors and verification strategies of social media users. Article 6 systematically reviews addiction scales of various ICTs. Article 7 investigates click behavior in e-learning contexts and how this is linked to cultural and personality traits. Finally, article 8 offers a comprehensive overview of the antecedents and consequences of children’s smartphone usage. Within the specific context of SNSs, the thesis suggests that the cognitive tolls imposed on users’ minds cause adverse effects, such as impaired sensemaking, fatigue, stereotype activation as well as intentions to discontinue the service. Other ICTs lead to addiction, and i.e., smartphones evidence to cause cognitive impairments in children. Factors on the ICT side that promote these adverse effects are linked to specific features, such as the newsfeed for SNSs and entail overload or perceptions of disorder. The thesis adds theoretically to the understanding of downsides that arise from the interplay between human minds and ICTs. Especially, the context of SNSs is spotlighted and insights add to the growing body of literature on experiences and perceptions. For instance, one study’s result suggests that considering information organization is as important as merely decreasing overload perceptions from the users in countering adverse effects of SNS usage. Practically, the thesis emphasizes the importance of mindful interaction with ICTs. Future research is welcome to build on the exploratory investigations and may draw an even more holistic picture to enhance the interaction between ICTs and the human mind.
N2  - Die Digitalisierung hat fast alle Aspekte unseres Lebens durchdrungen. Sowohl im beruflichen als auch im privaten Kontext sind wir auf Informations- und Kommunikationstechnologien (IKT) wie soziale Netzwerke (SNS), Smartphones usw. angewiesen. Während wir mittels solcher Technologien kommunizieren, Informationen erhalten und interagieren, beansprucht die IKT unseren Verstand. Diese Interaktion zwischen den Informationstechnologien und dem menschlichen Verstand als auch deren Auswirkungen ist dabei das zentrale Thema dieser Dissertation. Der menschliche Verstand wird dabei anhand eines vereinfachten Modells dargestellt, das ein wahrnehmendes, ein kognitives und ein motorisches Teilsystem umfasst. Informations- und Kommunikationstechnologien stellen einen externen Stimulus dar, der die Wahrnehmung des Verstandes und das kognitive Teilsystem anspricht und schließlich über das motorische Teilsystem zu einer motorischen Reaktion führt. Der externe Stimulus, der diese Ereigniskette auslöst, ist hier als Informations- und Kommunikationstechnologie dargestellt. Die digitale Umgebung und die damit verbundenen Informations- und Kommunikationstechnologien verlangen schon wegen des hohen Volumens der leicht zugänglichen Informationen ein hohes Maß an Aufmerksamkeit. Die in diesem Zusammenhang möglicherweise auftretenden Probleme sobald der menschliche Verstand mit IKT interagiert, überraschen insofern nicht. Die Wechselwirkung zwischen den IKT und dem menschlichen Verstand kann sich somit zu einem Nachteil auswirken. Die vorliegende Arbeit untersucht dieses Phänomen und darüber hinaus die IKT-gestützten Faktoren, die diese Nachteile begünstigen. Genauer gesagt stehen diese Untersuchungen im Kontext von SNS sowie anderen IKT (wie Smartphones, E-Learning usw.). Zur Beantwortung der Forschungsfragen werden in dieser Arbeit 8 Artikel vorgelegt, die das Thema mit unterschiedlichen Methoden beleuchten, darunter quantitative, qualitative und gemischte Methoden sowie systematische Literaturübersichten. Artikel 1 untersucht die Faktoren, die zur Ermüdung durch Nutzung von SNS und zu Abbruchabsichten führen, in einem Mixed-Methods-Design. Artikel 2 geht der Frage nach, ob bestimmte Faktoren, auf die man in einer Newsfeed stößt, die Sinnfindung behindern. Artikel 3 schlägt ein Studiendesign vor, um den Zusammenhang zwischen der wahrgenommenen Unordnung auf den Newsfeeds einer SNS und der Aktivierung von Geschlechterstereotypen zu untersuchen. Artikel 4 betrachtet das Zusammenspiel zwischen Nutzern und Algorithmen über die Newsfeed-Schnittstelle und die Auswirkungen auf deren Relevanzwahrnehmung. Artikel 5 untersucht die Informationsbeschaffung, hemmende Faktoren und Überprüfungsstrategien von Nutzern sozialer Medien. Artikel 6 gibt einen systematischen Überblick über Suchtskalen verschiedener Informations- und Kommunikationstechnologien. Artikel 7 untersucht das Klickverhalten in E-Learning-Kontexten und wie dieses mit kulturellen Ausprägungen und Persönlichkeitsmerkmalen zusammenhängt. Schließlich bietet der Artikel einen umfassenden Überblick über die begünstigenden Faktoren und Folgen der Smartphone-Nutzung von Kindern. Im spezifischen Kontext von SNSs legt die These nahe, dass die kognitiven Belastungen, die den Nutzern auferlegt werden, negative Auswirkungen haben, wie z.B. eine beeinträchtigte Sinnfindung, Müdigkeit, die Aktivierung von Stereotypen sowie die Absicht, den Service nicht weiter zu nutzen. Andere IKT führen zur Abhängigkeit, und z.B. Smartphones verursachen nachweislich kognitive Beeinträchtigungen bei Kindern. IKT-seitige Faktoren, die diese negativen Auswirkungen begünstigen, sind mit spezifischen Merkmalen verbunden, wie z.B. dem Newsfeed der SNS und machen sich durch Überlastung oder wahrgenommener Unordnung bemerkbar. Die Dissertation trägt theoretisch zum Verständnis der aufgezeigten Nachteile bei, die sich aus dem Zusammenspiel zwischen dem menschlichen Verstand und den IKT ergeben. Insbesondere wird der Kontext der SNS beleuchtet, und die Erkenntnisse ergänzen die sich erweiternde Literatur über Erfahrungen und Wahrnehmungen. In der Praxis unterstreicht die Arbeit die Bedeutung eines achtsamen Umgangs mit IKT. Ich begrüße zukünftige Forschung, die auf den explorativen Untersuchungen aufbaut, um ein noch ganzheitlicheres Bild zu zeichnen: Langfristig trägt diese hoffentlich zur Verbesserung der Interaktion zwischen IKT und dem menschlichen Verstand bei.
KW  - information and communication technologies
KW  - social networking sites
KW  - human mind
KW  - newsfeed
Y1  - 2023
ER  -