Social networks, and especially Instagram, have been the subject of strong criticism in recent years due to the negative effects they can have on the mental health of some people and especially the youngest. But, although these risks are widely documented in the scientific literature and must be taken into account, a study carried out by Concordia University (Canada) has found that certain uses of Instagram can be beneficial for women with certain psychiatric disorders.
Instagram and digital habits
The author of this work, published in the academic environment Feminist Media Studiesdetails that the conclusion is based on a series of interviews with women with diagnoses related to mental health focused on the characteristics and reasons for their use of the social network.
In this regard, he defends the importance of studying the digital habits of this type of patients, considering not only the harmful effects that have been reported in the past regarding social networks, but also the importance that regular routines and habits acquire (from exercise physical, he says, to keeping a diary or hobbies) in the recovery of people with psychiatric disorders.
Specifically, among the three patients interviewed, one suffered from an eating disorder (TCA), another a generalized anxiety disorder and eating disorders, and a third an anxiety disorder related to problems with one’s own body image (dysphoria).
Different uses
The three of them, the researcher reported, consumed Instagram related to their own mental health, although with different characteristics. For example, one of them actively shared content related to her own recovery, while the other two preferred to consume content with positive information or messages about mental health.
In any case, the three patients indicated that the use of the social network helped them relieve symptoms such as anxiety or negative thoughts, as well as to adopt other positive habits that helped in their recovery.
All in all, the researcher defends that the social network is not inherently positive for mental health, and warns of the danger that funding for mental health resources is diverted towards ‘self-care’ tools, which should in all case complement the work of professionals.
References
Fanny Gravel-Patry. “A series of little high fives”: mental health and digital habituation in women’s Instagram practices. Feminist Media Studies (2023). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/14680777.2022.2149603