A Ruhr University Bochum study showed that materialistic social media users experience stress. Dr. Phillip Ozimek’s study indicated that social media users who spend over two hours a day are more materialistic and compare themselves to others.
According to studies, materialistic people who scroll down social media content may experience stress and sadness. According to a Telematics and Informatics Reports study, social media platforms attract materialists since they serve various materialistic requirements.
Dr. Phillip Ozimek of Ruhr University Bochum’s Faculty of Psychology recruited 1,230 participants for the study. Respondents have to use social media weekly to participate. Participants averaged two hours a day on social media.
The research team used six questionnaires to assess participants’ materialistic attitudes, tendency to compare themselves to others, social media use, addiction, stress, and life satisfaction.
Ozimek said the data revealed that a more materialistic perspective leads to more comparisons.
Passively seeing other users’ posts on social media makes this comparison easier.
Materialism and passive use also contributed to social media addiction.
“By this we mean, for example, that users constantly think about their channels and fear missing out if they are not online,” Ozimek said.
This causes mental health issues including stress.
The chain ends with lower life satisfaction. “Social media is one of six stepping stones to unhappiness,” Ozimek said.
According to the authors, you should monitor and decrease your social media use.
Conclusion
A Ruhr University Bochum study showed that materialistic social media users experience stress and sadness. Dr. Phillip Ozimek’s study indicated that social media users who spend over two hours a day are more materialistic and compare themselves to others. Passive social media use can cause addiction, stress, and life dissatisfaction. According to the report, people should monitor their social media use and cut back.
