We currently live in a world where a portion of society heavily relies on the approval of others for validation.
Does my makeup look good today? Yeah maybe, but only if my #MOTD Instagram post received more than 100 likes. If it didn’t? Well then watch out world, ’cause I will most likely be in a very negative mood.
And while we see no harm in posting selfie after selfie, as it seemingly makes us feel better about ourselves, has anyone thought about how much this constant gratification method affects the people we care about?
A team of researchers from Florida State University believe they may have found this answer.
A recent study has revealed that the number of selfies you post on Instagram could be directly linked to how you feel about yourself and may have a negative impact on your personal relationships.
The study surveyed 420 Instagram users (aged 18 to 62) through an online questionnaire and found a link between body satisfaction and social perception (the amount of likes you receive), with an improvement in ones self-esteem when others responded well to the post.
While the study numbers are low, we don’t even have to leave our friend circle to know that it rings true for us as well.
More importantly, however, the researchers found that when an Instagram post doesn’t receive as many likes as expected body satisfaction lowers. Once body satisfaction lowers, the chance of “Instagram-related conflict” increases; something that can have a negative impact on personal relationships.
“These findings suggest that when Instagram users promote their body image satisfaction in the form of Instagram selfie posts, risk of Instagram-related conflict and negative romantic relationship outcomes might ensue,” the study concluded.
In other words, if someone makes a negative comment on a photo you shared or your next bikini pic simply doesn’t acquire as much attention as you think it should, you’re more likely than not to take your frustrations out on someone else.
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