Taylor, Anna; (2023) Effects of a Values-based Micro-intervention on Social Media use in Emerging Adults: A Randomised Controlled Trial. Doctoral thesis (D.Clin.Psy), UCL (University College London).

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Abstract

Background: There is growing interest in the impact of social media use on the mental health of emerging adults. Research has reported both costs and benefits to social media use, with findings suggesting a complex relationship between them. There have been attempts to mitigate the negative impact of social media use via abstinence interventions, however, these studies fail to consider the benefits of social media use. This study tests the effectiveness of an alternative, values-based approach to social media use. / Methods: A randomised controlled trial design was used to evaluate the impact of a values based micro-intervention. Participants (n=182) were randomly allocated to the values-based intervention (n=83) or a matched control (n=99) intervention. The immediate effects of the intervention were analysed in terms of self-reported measures of positive evaluation of SMU (PESMU), affective states and social connectedness. / Results: The findings were as follows; participants in the intervention reported significantly greater levels of social connectedness compared to participants in the matched control intervention (η2=0.004). However, there were no significant effects of the intervention on PESMU compared to the matched control intervention. Moreover, analyses showed no significant effects of the intervention itself on positive and negative affect. / Conclusions: Findings suggest that the current ‘values-base micro-intervention’ did not lead to an increase in positive affect or positive evaluation of SMU. It also did not lead to a reduction in negative affect. However, there was a significant increase in levels of social connectedness. These findings are discussed in detail with a consideration of whether the intervention offered emerging adults the skills to engage in SM in a values-based way, as well as consideration for other processes that may need to be targeted to create behavioural and emotional change. Given this is the first randomised controlled trial investigating the effects of this type of intervention further testing needs to be conducted with a range of emerging adults to understand the mechanisms that results in positive and negative feelings and social connectedness during SMU.

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