A risky investment? Examining the outcomes of emotional investment in Instagram. (December 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lowe-Calverley, Emily; Grieve, Rachel; Padgett, Christine
• Is Part Of: Telematics and informatics. Volume 45(2019)
• Publication Date: 2019-12
• Subjects: Instagram Investment -- Emotional investment -- Social media anxiety -- Social comparison -- Self-esteem; Telecommunication -- Periodicals; Computer networks -- Periodicals; Télécommunications -- Périodiques; Réseaux d'ordinateurs -- Périodiques; 384
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tele.2019.101299
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0736-5853

Abstract

Highlights: First to operationalise Instagram Investment. Instagram Investment significantly predicts depression and stress. Instagram Investment does not significantly predict anxiety. Number of followers indirectly reduces self-esteem via Instagram Investment. Abstract: Recent research demonstrates links between aspects of Instagram use and negative psychological outcomes. It is therefore important to be able to predict the users who may be at a greater risk of experiencing negative consequences as a result of their use. Instagram is an immersive platform and peoples' behaviour on Instagram can be important to their self-concept and self-esteem; users are potentially deeply emotionally invested in their Instagram use. This paper presents three studies investigating an Instagram-specific form of emotional investment – Instagram Investment. Study 1 ( N = 167) examined Instagram Investment as a predictor of depression, anxiety, and stress, within a series of hierarchical multiple regression models, and demonstrated the potential utility of Instagram Investment for the prediction of depression and stress. In Study 2 ( N = 120) we expanded our understanding of Instagram Investment within the context of self-esteem. A mediation model revealed an indirect effect of number of followers on self-esteem via Instagram Investment. Finally, in Study 3 ( N = 259) we examined the structural properties of the 6 items used to measure Instagram Investment using a confirmatory factor analysis. Together, these studies demonstrate that Instagram Investment is a new and valuable construct for explaining the way that individuals are impacted by their use of Instagram.