Facilitation or inhibition? The impact of online social anxiety on social media use
Description
Research investigating the influence of online social anxiety on social media use (SMU) has produced contradictory findings, reporting both facilitative and inhibitory effects. These inconsistencies may stem from overlooking the role of distinct types of SMU. Through five experiments, this study investigated the boundary conditions and underlying mechanisms by which online social anxiety influences SMU. The results indicated that online social anxiety suppresses active SMU but promotes the passive use thereof. Specifically, online social anxiety inhibits active SMU by reducing social media self-disclosure—a mediating pathway moderated by interpretation bias. Concurrently, online social anxiety facilitates passive SMU by amplifying the fear of missing out—a relationship moderated by emotion regulation strategies. Grounded in Murray's personality theory and uses and gratifications theory, this research validates a dual-pathway model of the influence of online social anxiety on SMU. The results offer insights for promoting healthier social media engagement.
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Institutions
- Gannan Normal University