Social Media Changes The Nature Of Our Psychological Well-Being

1615 Words7 Pages

Psychological well-being can be defined as a state of happiness associated with the lack of psychological distress. It is believed to largely stem from the need of social acceptance coming from the strength and quality of our social relationships (Osborne & Gowey, 2014). Social media (SM) consists of social networks and digital shared information - it is a channel that has revolutionized social relations and consequently changed the nature of our psychological well-being (Howard & Parks, 2012). It is the malleability of its use and function that makes it possible for misinformation to occur, consequently affecting well-being (Kaplan, 2010). Despite that fact, it is believed that the inherent purpose and role of SM is based on strengthening …show more content…

In the era of SM strengthening its position in people’s everyday activities, it is difficult to separate it from something as basic and vital for psychological well-being as health. Patients feel more compelled to seek out medical education and communicate with health care professionals online – it may be considered a step forward in enhancing medical help or a step backward in terms of our social relations and empathy (Chretien & Kind, 2013). SM marketing and use of unprofessional and non-referenced sources both pose a significant threat for a usefulness of SM as a reliable channel. However, with increased tendency of health care professional using the SM to enhance medical education and communicate with patients it can be speculated that the usefulness SM will increase (Colbert, 2015). This could results with improved attitudes of patients towards SM and eventually improve their EM by the means of enhanced knowledge and decision-making empowerment. Further research is recommended, with consideration for SM as more than a tool, discussing the merit of the direct effect of social media on health outcomes and consequential change of attitudes regarding health. This would help with clarity regarding the positive role of SM and help establish a cause-and-effect relationship between specific types of use and health