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Authentic self-expression on social media is associated with greater subjective well-being

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Listed:
  • Erica R. Bailey

    (Columbia University)

  • Sandra C. Matz

    (Columbia University)

  • Wu Youyou

    (Northwestern University)

  • Sheena S. Iyengar

    (Columbia University)

Abstract

Social media users face a tension between presenting themselves in an idealized or authentic way. Here, we explore how prioritizing one over the other impacts users’ well-being. We estimate the degree of self-idealized vs. authentic self-expression as the proximity between a user’s self-reported personality and the automated personality judgements made on the basis Facebook Likes and status updates. Analyzing data of 10,560 Facebook users, we find that individuals who are more authentic in their self-expression also report greater Life Satisfaction. This effect appears consistent across different personality profiles, countering the proposition that individuals with socially desirable personalities benefit from authentic self-expression more than others. We extend this finding in a pre-registered, longitudinal experiment, demonstrating the causal relationship between authentic posting and positive affect and mood on a within-person level. Our findings suggest that the extent to which social media use is related to well-being depends on how individuals use it.

Suggested Citation

  • Erica R. Bailey & Sandra C. Matz & Wu Youyou & Sheena S. Iyengar, 2020. "Authentic self-expression on social media is associated with greater subjective well-being," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 11(1), pages 1-9, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:11:y:2020:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-020-18539-w
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-18539-w
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    Cited by:

    1. Rossignac-Milon, Maya & Pillemer, Julianna & Bailey, Erica R. & Blaine Horton Jr., C. & Iyengar, Sheena S., 2024. "Just be real with me: Perceived partner authenticity promotes relationship initiation via shared reality," Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, Elsevier, vol. 180(C).
    2. Shuqair, Saleh & Filieri, Raffaele & Viglia, Giampaolo & Mattila, Anna S. & Costa Pinto, Diego, 2024. "Leveraging online selling through social media influencers," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 171(C).
    3. Lijo P Thomas & Ritesh Chaudhary & Juby Thomas & Vishnu Achutha Menon, 2023. "Assessing Instagram Addiction and Social Media Dependency among Young Adults in Karnataka," Studies in Media and Communication, Redfame publishing, vol. 11(6), pages 72-79, September.
    4. Guy Aridor, 2022. "Measuring Substitution Patterns in the Attention Economy: An Experimental Approach," CESifo Working Paper Series 10190, CESifo.
    5. Cleveland, Mark & Iyer, Rajesh & Babin, Barry J., 2023. "Social media usage, materialism and psychological well-being among immigrant consumers," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 155(PB).
    6. Rebecca B. Fegan & Amy R. Bland, 2021. "Social Media Use and Vulnerable Narcissism: The Differential Roles of Oversensitivity and Egocentricity," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(17), pages 1-14, August.
    7. Kumar, Jitender & Katiyar, Gagan & Mehrotra, Ankit & Attri, Rekha & Vishnoi, Sushant Kumar, 2024. "Connecting BOP consumers and retailers: What drives small-time retailing through social media?," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 77(C).
    8. Md Shahzalal & Hamedi Mohd Adnan, 2022. "Attitude, Self-Control, and Prosocial Norm to Predict Intention to Use Social Media Responsibly: From Scale to Model Fit towards a Modified Theory of Planned Behavior," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(16), pages 1-38, August.

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