Technology
The Impact of Post-Event Processing, Mindfulness and Self-Compassion on Anxiety Following Distressing Interactions on Social Media
Amanda E. Halliburton, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Psychological Science
University of North Georgia
Dahlonega, Georgia
Social media permits interpersonal connection even across great distances (Shaw et al., 2015). While social media apps have grown in popularity over the past several decades, they became a more essential tool for communication during the COVID-19 pandemic (Shah et al., 2020). Social media use can be beneficial for identity development and social support, but it could also facilitate negative social comparisons or self-evaluations when aversive interactions occur (Vannucci et al., 2017). Those who experience negative interactions are at risk for depression and decreased quality of life (McCloskey et al., 2015), particularly if they engage in extensive post-event processing (PEP) or rumination (Cassin & Rector, 2011; Frost & Rickwood, 2017). In this study, I evaluated the impact of PEP following a negative social media interaction on generalized anxiety, as well as whether mindfulness and self-compassion might moderate this effect. Participants were undergraduate students (N = 75, Mage = 20.31, SD = 5.38) enrolled at a state university in the Southeastern U.S. The majority of participants identified as White/Caucasian (77.3%) but Asian/Asian American (9.3%), Hispanic/Latinx (8%), Black/African American (4%), and biracial/multiracial (1.3%) individuals were also represented. Most participants identified as female (69.3%). Participants described a variety of conflicts with themes including COVID-19 health practices, political tension, personal attacks on self or friends, racial discrimination, sexual harassment, and negative social comparisons. Participants completed an online survey including questions about their use of and experiences on social media apps and the following questionnaires: Post-Event Processing Inventory, State Version (Blackie & Kocovski, 2017), Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (Brown & Ryan, 2003), Self-Compassion Scale, Short Version (Raes et al., 2011), and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (Spitzer et al., 2006). A hierarchical regression analysis was conducted. In model 1 (R2 = .066, p = .026), PEP (B = .256, p = .026) was a significant predictor of anxiety. In model 2 (R2 = .330, p< .001), PEP was no longer significant but mindfulness (B = -.283, p = .014) and self-compassion (B = -.361, p = .002) emerged as significant predictors of anxiety. In model 3 (R2 = .364, p< .001), mindfulness (B = -.258, p = .024) and self-compassion (B = -.379, p = .001) remained significant predictors of anxiety and the interaction between PEP and self-compassion (B = .216, p = .067) approached significance. Overall, the best-fitting model was model 2 (R2change = .264, p< .001). These findings suggest that mindfulness and self-compassion may be important skills to help minimize anxiety following conflicts on social media. Mindfulness may promote decentering from negative emotions and reduce avoidance of future opportunities to interact online, and cultivating self-compassion could decrease engagement in PEP and rumination (Forman et al., 2012; Kocovski et al., 2013). Further research is needed to continue evaluating relationships among these variables, ideally utilizing a larger and more diverse sample.