Social media has permeated everyday life, molding how people communicate, consume information, and regulate emotions. Previous social media research demonstrates contrasting beneficial and detrimental effects on psychological well-being. Research inaccurately treats social media use as a single, homogeneous activity rather than a diverse set of experiences derived from the contents. Recent empirical aesthetics research suggests that brief but emotionally rich digital experiences may positively influence well-being. The present study investigates whether quality supersedes quantity of engagement in affecting well-being.The project compares two approaches to healthier digital behavior: reducing social media use versus improving the emotional and experiential quality of engagement. The study posits a more nuanced understanding of how social media interactions shape momentary and eudaimonic well-being.

Team:

Dr Jan Mikuni Supervisor
Adea Dobra Theory building, Methods, Data analysis & Management
David Curran Writing, Data analysis & Management
Jusin Jösten Methods, Project management
Rui Moreira Theory building, Data analysis & Management
Viola Möst Communication officer, Data analysis & Management