The 21st century has seen a surge of users of every age engaging in social media outlets. These outlets include Twitter, Facebook, Myspace, Instagram, Pinterest, Tumblr, etc and the list is constantly growing. Schneider, Gruman, and Coutts (2012) reviewed the importance of media in acts of violence, pornography and politics however, little was mentioned about the positive influence of the media. Specifically, in using various forms of media to overcome psychological disorders such as social anxiety disorder. Kessler, Berglund, Demler, Jin and Walters (2005) reported that social anxiety disorder is the third most common psychiatric disorder in the nation. Furthermore, Kessler et al. (2005) revealed that more than 80% of individuals with social anxiety disorder are not undergoing any treatment. Individuals who suffer from social phobia often experience anxiety in any situation connecting to potential social interactions. Farfan (2013) pointed out that with the advancement of technology and the high usage of the internet, individuals have begun to adapt the concept that socialization involves the aspect of the internet to some extent. In a world that is so heavily consumed with a constant interaction online, how is this affecting individuals who suffer from anxiety in social situations?
Many psychologists have actually advocated for the use of social media as an intervention to overcome social phobias (Kiesler, Siegel, & McGuire, 1984; Myers, 1987). The belief is that the social media environment is conducive to the human need for social connection without the aspects such as audiovisual cues and transparency that may cause anxiety (Farfan, 2013; Kiesler, Siegel, & McGuire, 1984; Myers, 1987). The goal then in using social media as an intervention is being able to transfer skills and confidence learned through online interactions to real-world application (Farfan, 2013). Grieve, Indian, Witteveen, Tolan and Marrington (2013) experimented with the social networking site, Facebook, to see if humans have the ability to gain the same level of connectedness that is gained from face-to-face interactions. This experiment was based on the social belongingness theory which explains that individuals develop and maintain social relationships to feel a sense of belonging (Baumeister & Leary, 1995; Lee & Robbins, 1995). Additionally, Lee and Robbins (1995) reported that positive social connectedness has a negative association with anxiety and positive relationship with self-esteem. Therefore, using social media to enhance social connectedness in individuals with social anxiety disorder will reduce their anxiety and foster confidence and self-esteem in social situations.
Grieve et al. (2013) uncovered that social media sites such as Facebook, are effective in achieving a similar form of social connectedness as seen in face-to-face interactions. Additionally, the connectedness experienced through social media results in positive psychological outcomes such as a decrease in depression, anxiety and increase in wellbeing (Grieve et al., 2013). The experiment by Grieve et al. (2013) supports the notion that using social media and social networking in interventions with individuals suffering from social anxiety will be beneficial. With the concept of the belongingness theory and the use of social media, individuals with social anxiety disorder have the opportunity to engage in social interactions in a comfortable, supportive environment. This intervention through social media can be used as a stepping zone to reducing the fear and anxiety that comes from face-to-face interactions while still providing social connection. Farfan (2013) suggested that even the perception of developing social relationships is beneficial in enhancing self-esteem and overcoming anxiety in social situations. Ultimately, social media can be used as a source to increase self-esteem, social connection and social support which are often deficient in individuals with a social phobia (Grieve et al., 2013).
References
Baumeister, R. & Leary, M. (1995). The need to belong: Desire for interpersonal attachments and fundamental motivation. Psychological Bulletin, 117(3), 497-529. doi:10.1037/0033-2909.117.3.49.
Farfan, G. (2013). Social anxiety in the age of social networks. Observer, 26(5). Retrieved from https://www.psychologicalscience.org/index.php/publications/observer/2013/may-june-13.
Grieve, R., Indiain, M., Witteveen, K., Tolan, G., & Marrington, J. (2013). Face-to-face or Facebook: Can social connectedness be derived online? Computers in Human Behavior, 29(3), 604-609. doi: 10.1016/j.chb.2012.11.017.
Kessler, P., Berglund, P., Demler, O., Jin, R., & Walters, E. (2005). Lifetime prevalence and age-of-onset distribution of DSM-IV disorders in the National Comorbidity Survey Replication. Archives of General Psychiatry, 62(6), 593-602. doi:10.1001/archpsyc.62.6.617.
Kiesler, Siegel, & McGuire, (1984). Social psychological aspects of computer-mediated communication. American Psychologist, 39(10), 1123-1134. doi:10.1037/0003-066X.39.10.1123.
Lee, R. & Robbins, S. (1995). Measuring belongingness: The social connectedness and social assurance scales. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 42, 232-241. doi:10.1037/0022-0167.42.2.232.
Myers, D. (1987). Anonymity is part of the magic: Individual manipulation of computer-mediated communication contexts. Qualitative Sociology, 10(3), 251-266. doi:10.1007/BF00988989.
Schneider, F. W., Gruman, J. A., and Coutts, L. M. (Eds.) (2012). Applied Social Psychology: Understanding and Addressing Social and Practical Problems (2nd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.