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Effects of Social Media Validation

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 The Effects of Social Media Validation
Titoluwanimi Onifade
MSc. Internet of Things with Cyber Security
Bournemouth University,
Bournemouth Poole, United Kingdom
S5331947@bournemouth.ac.uk

Abstracts - In this century, people are statistics concerning frequent social

driven by approbation to utilize social media usage and self-worth
media as a significant information determination. However, owing to
distribution channel. This psychosocial increased social comparison and
acknowledgment is crucial to the exposure to social network
growing adult's social identity information, regular social media users
formation. High-intensity social media acquire self-critical attitude, lessen
use has been associated to increased beneficial effects, and develop sadness.
sorrow, poor mental health, and low
Keywords: Social media, self-validating,
trait self-esteem. Social media
self-worth, Information, Comparison
comparison leads young people to rely
on others' approval for self-validation
and goals, leading to self-doubt. They
1. Introduction
self-validate via societal comparison,
which decreases their self-esteem.
Social media has evolved as a highly
Using several survey articles, this
research explores the influence of major means of production and
social media usage on one's self-worth, diffusion of diverse information, mostly
contingent self-worth, and the
among learners at the higher level of
validation set rules. The comparison led
to some inconsistency in the provided education, in contemporary
generations of digital revolution [1].
Facebook and Instagram, are mobile
social media networks that allow users
to instantly record and share their
stories, it is now one of the most
popular social networks [2]. Facebook
and Instagram's have 1.2 billion and
400 million active users respectively
who are mostly between the age group
evidence that it is flexible and reacting
to life experiences [7]. Holistic
personality (or total feeling of worth) is
likely to change in emerging adults who
confront volatility as they manage this
transitional time [4].
2. Social Media and Validation
Building a coherent identity and self-

of 18 and 35. According to research, image was explained by [6], as a crucial

teens' social media networking developmental activity that entails

behavior involves curiosity and identity, studying and challenging the

which may be related with the critical boundaries of many roles, beliefs, and

job of identity building [3]. identities in various social

circumstances, then incorporating
In this modern digital era, rising adults
these into a coherent ego identity. The
negotiate the process of identity
cultural structure in which an ordinary
creation using Social media networking
person conducts business has a
[4]. According to a 2011 study by [5],
significant effect on identification
Facebook users are motivated by
convergence and contended with
involvement, validation and approval.
understanding to develop social
Hence, social media usage may
interactions, separate the transition
jeopardize key growth phases, notably
from adolescence to adulthood is a
the development of self-esteem in
factor that is essential in mental
which individual assesses oneself; that
development. Social media use may
is, the degree to which the person
alter notions such as self-esteem and
regards oneself as valuable and capable
well-being if there is any psychological
[6]. Self-esteem is rather stable, there is
sensitivity at this period [4]. According
to research, individuals who expressed
their need for assistance on Facebook
obtain social support, which indicated
greater mental health [8]. Interestingly,
research have found that Social media
use have created reliance to validate a
person's identity assertions and self-
worth [1]. Previous study has linked
high-intensity Facebook usage to
increased sadness, reduced
psychological health, and worse trait
self-esteem [4][9][11]. Other scholars in
the field have claimed that not all
experiences, good or negative, have the
same effect on individual self-esteem
[12]. Other researchers said, external
self-worth variables, such as those that
rely on other people for self-validation,
are highly associated with poor mental
well-being [13]. The literature in this
study is going to reveal two probable
relationships: one between the
frequency of social media networking
usage and ego, and another between
dependent ego and self-esteem.
Individuals can, of course, depend on
both ability and psychological support
in their quests of ego, but most of the
time they have a strong preference for
one sort of feedback over the other. As
a result, the two constructs of
predicated self-esteem developed in
this work are regarded separated from
one another, in the same way that the
concepts of identity and reliance do.
3. Social comparison
Several quantitative investigations with
teenagers and adults discovered that
social competition occurs often on
social media platforms [14][15]. It was
discovered by [11] that frequent
Facebook users were more involved in
social comparison. Instagram users may
display themselves in a way that
depicts their ideal image, with a focus
on their chosen attributes [16]. There
are data’s to support and shows that
individuals interpret other audiences
who have more productive, happy lives
than theirs, [17] feel upward peer
pressure and negative impacts on their inclination makes them believe that
self-esteem [12]. others' behavior reflects on their
character rather than being influenced
In accordance with Vogel research,
by their social setting surroundings. An
dependent self-worth increases
example is, if a person sees
willingness to engage in social
photographs of other social media
comparison [10]. Instagram offers an
users in which the user appears to be
accessible venue for developing adults
joyful, the person may assume an
whose identity is dependent on the
individual is happy without
favor of others to practice their self-
understanding the circumstances that
validation aspirations [12]. Evidence
led to the user's happiness. The rich
suggests that self-worth based on
diagram of the issue area is shown
acceptance from others encourages
below.
behaviors such as social comparison
and absorption of cultural standards  The first research question (RQ)
that conform to evaluating and is – “What effect does social
appreciating physical appearance. media use have on self-worth?”
 Second research question RQ is
4. Problem Area
– “To what degree does' self-
Social comparison on social media worth based on acceptance from
allows young people whose identity is others' aided in creating self-
dependent on the acceptance of others validation goals?”
to execute their self-validation
aspirations and, as a result, verify their
self-worth. Young individuals sink to the
level of correspondence bias when self-
validating through social comparison
which lowers their self-esteem. This
 Figure 1. Rich Picture (Problem Area) because they are independent and feel
happy about themselves.
5. Related Research Models and
Hypothesis Hypothesis 3: When social media users
are affirmed by others, they are less
Previous research has proposed
useful to compare themselves to
mediation models for social media use,
idealized situations shown in the
social identification, and ego or self-
media. As a result, individuals have a
worth [10][18][19][20]. In these
more favorable self-image.
investigations, the Rosenberg Self-
Esteem Scale in which Participants 6. Methodology
rated their confidence with some
The research is conducted in a
questions on 7-point Likert type scales
qualitative manner utilizing credible
for the investigation. The median value
sources and suitable papers containing
is 5.8, while the standard deviation is 1.
identical models for the study of social
The 35-item conditions of self-worth
media use, self-worth, validation goals,
scale was used to assess the area of
and self-comparison with the ideal
self-esteem approbation from others.
model / relatives or friend’s clout. To
Hypothesis 1: There is relation between have a better understanding of
the frequency of social media usage viewpoint and extraction of only
and identity on social networks, which desired data, a research study, data
is handled via self-validation and social collection and extraction of desired
comparison. parameters will be carried out for
discourse analysis and raw
Hypothesis 2: Social media users who
interpretation of results.
depend on their contingent self-worth
are more likely to feel comfortable 7. Design
This study plan is further subdivided a. Data Collection and Assessment:
into three sections: Four papers with different
variables and social media
1) In the first half, information will be
platforms (Magazines, social
gathered about strong association
advertisements, Facebook, and
between the frequency of social media
Instagram) were selected. The
usage and identity on social networks
data extraction and assessment
(RQ1), its impact on self-worth
were done based on the
determination (RQ2) and connection
dimensions studied, sample size,
with self-comparison (RQ3).
intercept coefficient, standard
2) The second section will highlight the deviation, social media platform
essential data extraction parameters studied, and study area for the
from the selected papers. target group.

3) The third section will assist in b. Data Extraction and

providing a better insight for results Assessment: These are carried

and discussion and hypothesis tests. out based on the dimensions

studied, sample size, intercept
coefficient, standard deviation,
social media platform studied,
and study area for the target
Fig 2. Research Design
group. Table 1 shows the

8. Steps comparison between the

dimensions studied and data
Following are steps to be used for the
extracted for further analysis.
research design:
 Factors Paper 1 Paper 2 Paper 3 Paper 4
[18] [19] [10] [20]
Dimensio State self-esteem State self- State self-esteem Social media use,
n studied and contingent esteem and and relative self- contingent self-
self-worth contingent self- evaluations in the worth, and social
evaluations w.r.t worth intensity of social comparison on
self-perceptions evaluations w.r.t media use and Instagram.
of attractiveness competence or habits.
emotional
relations
Sample 88 215 145 237 participants
Size and undergraduate undergraduates, undergraduates (M = 23 (age), SD
coefficient women, M = 21 158 were (106 female) (M= = 2.17)
s (age), SD = 4.04 women, 19 (age), SD = 2.87)
(M= 28 yrs.)
Social Magazines and Not specified Facebook Instagram
Media advertisement.
Platform
Target Self-comparison, Relation of Studied intensity of Intensity of social
relation of Contingent self- social media use. media use. Self-
contingent self- worth on Self-comparison comparison
esteem, and emotional and setting relation of
setting validation reassurance validation contingent self-
standards based especially standards. esteem based and
on body relatives. setting validation
surveillance, standards.
shame, control.
Data Covers details Covers RQ 1 & 2, Covers details Covers details
extraction about RQ 1,2, about my RQ 1 about RQ 1,2, and
and and 3. (except contingent 3.
Comment self-worth),2, and
3.

Table 1. Comparison Table for Studied Dimensions in different papers. [18][19][10][20]

9. Results and Discussion [10]. They found no significant co-

relation between the intensity of social
a. The impact of social media media use and impact on
use on self-worth determination of an individual self-
worth. However, the determination of
The intensity of social media use and its
an individual self-worth was contingent
impact on the state of self-esteem and
to approval of others. This might
relative self-evaluations was studied by
simplify that social competition allows
[10][20]. [10] Reported the frequent
young adults whose self-worth is based
use of social media to be in negative co-
on someone else' approval to execute
relation with determination of self-
their self-validation aspirations and, as
worth due to more social network
a result, verify their self-worth. Young
content exposure. The results also
individuals tend to sink to the level of
showed that frequent social media
correspondence bias when self-
users develop self-critical attitude,
validating through prosocial behavior,
reduces positive effects, and develop
which has a negative impact on their
depression overtime. While, the study
self-esteem. The Hypothesis two that
of [20] showed inconsistent results with
 social media users who set their self-
worth based on other’s approval are
likely to feel more secure as they are
validated and feel positive about their
appearance not fitting well.
research papers yield participants with
low self-perceived attraction were in
negative co-relation with determining
their self-worth and they seemed
others validation on social media for
The reliance and comfort.

Factors Paper 1 Paper 2 Paper 3 Paper 4

[18] [19] [10] [20]

Intensity of Not studied. Not studied. 57% of the 43% of the

Social participants were participants were
Media Use frequent frequent Instagram
Facebook users users who spent
who spent multiple hours on
multiple hours on Instagram posting.
Facebook.
Impact on Low self- The participants Frequent No co-relation
Self-worth perceived with low self- Facebook users found between the
determinati attraction perceived were in negative Intensity of Social
on participants were attraction were co-relation with Media Use and
in negative co- in negative co- determining their impact on
relation with relation with self-worth. determination of
determining determining one’s self-worth.
their self-worth. their self-worth
and they
seemed others
 validation for
reliance and
comfort.

Contingent High Contingent Competence Not studied. The Intensity of

self-worth participants were and emotional Social Media Use
determinati also in negative determination. was in negative co-
on co-relation with The two scales relation with
determining were co-related. determining their
their self-worth. contingent self-
worth.
Outcomes High Contingent High contingent Frequent The participants
participants participants Facebook users used to set their
compared with low self- tended to poorly own validation
themselves with worth tend to determine their goals and standards
the models, they strive more to self-worth and compare
experienced prove their ultimately, have themselves to
greater value by success low self-esteem. evaluate
decreases in but they self- themselves.
positive effects. criticize
themselves.

Table 2. Comparison table for impact of social media use on the determination of self-
worth. [18][19][10][20]

b. Setting validation goals
through contingent self-
worth determination
There is a significant bivariate
relationship between contingent self-
worth in the area of others' acceptance
and the social media platform
viewpoint. [20] Discovered a negative
correlation between social media use
and self-worth. Participants used to
define their own validation objectives
and criteria, and compare themselves
to assess themselves. According to [19],
low self-worth individuals tend to
compare themselves more frequently
to fill their internal gap. This matched
the findings of [10[18].
CONCLUSION
Engagement, connection, and approval
are what drive social media users.
While these psychosocial demands are
crucial for young adult identities, some
research suggests that social media
usage may harm critical developmental
stages like self-esteem. People who
depend their identity on others'
approval may utilise social media to
achieve their personality objectives and
therefore justify their self-worth. They
suffer from correspondence bias when
they self-validate via social comparison.
Many studies using various
characteristics and social networking
sites have shown no correlation
between social networking usage and
ego judgement. The current study
assessed four independent survey
articles to determine the degree of
social media use and its impact on
identifying ego, contingent self-worth,
and evaluating validation set criteria.
The study found significant
inconsistencies in the data on the
relationship between extensive social
media usage and inner determination.
All studies concluded that habitual
social media users develop a self-critical
perspective, diminish positive benefits,
and develop sorrow over time.
Significant multivariate association
between contingent self-worth in the
realm of others' approval and
perspective taking on social media
network was shown.
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