مقاله انگلیسی رایگان در مورد استفاده از رسانه های اجتماعی، استرس و مقابله – الزویر 2022

Abstract

Keywords

Introduction

The transactional model of stress and coping

The functions of social media in the stress-coping process

Social media as stressors

Social media as resources

Social media as coping tools

The use of social media as coping tools

The effectiveness of social media as coping tools

Challenges for future research

Conclusion

Credit author statement

Conflict of interest statement

References

Abstract

In this review, we systematize work on the relationship between social media use and stress by providing a functional perspective that distinguishes between three functions that social media can have in the stages of the stress-coping process: as stressors, as resources, and as coping tools. Current research provides evidence that social media can cause stress, serve as resources, and can be used as a tool for various coping strategies, but it remains unclear when social media can successfully mitigate stress. Future research should use more fine-grained research designs that consider the timing of social media use, the situational context, and the encountered content to determine when social media serves which function and when social media reduces or increases stress.

Introduction

Empirical studies repeatedly found positive correlations between social media use and stress [1∗, 2, 3]. Such positive relationships could indicate that social media use causes stress or that stress triggers social media use. Researchers have argued for both directions [1,4, 5∗∗, 6∗]. We reason, however, that it falls short to only ask about the direction of the effect between social media use and stress. We argue that to fully understand the association between social media use and stress, we need to focus on social media’s functions in the different stages of the stress-coping process. A positive effect of social media use on stress over time, for instance, could mean that social media causes stress [7]. At the same time, such a positive effect could also indicate that individuals use social media for coping with stress, but in an ineffective way which further increases stress [1]. Looking at the different functions of social media helps clarify these different processes and derive conclusive practical recommendations.

In this paper, we show that social media use can serve three functions in the stress-coping process (i.e., stressor, resource, coping tool). Building on these three functions, we derive four hypotheses to guide future research. In the following, we will first introduce the transactional model of stress and coping and then describe research supporting the four hypotheses. We close by discussing challenges for future research.

The transactional model of stress and coping

Lazarus and Folkman’s [8] transactional model of stress and coping and its extension by Wolfers and Schneider [9] provide a useful theoretical framework to identify the functions of social media in the stress-coping process. According to the transactional model of stress and coping, which is depicted in Figure 1, individuals experience stress when the demands placed on them (= stressors) exceed their resources [8]. This disbalance is symbolized by the seesaw on which stressors and resources are pitted against each other (see Figure 1). The model proposes that individuals assess the (dis)balance between resources and stressors in a first appraisal. In a second appraisal, they evaluate available coping options. Coping options include coping strategies and the coping tools with which coping strategies are implemented [9].