Social Media and Mental Health

Abstract Considerable research investigates effects of social media use on hedonic well-being (e.g., affect, life satisfaction), psychopathology (e.g., depressive symptoms), or psychosocial risk/resilience factors (e.g., loneliness, self-esteem). Yet, the public is often more concerned with social media’s long-term outcomes, which may be better captured by eudaimonic well-being. Eudaimonia is both conceptually and empirically distinct and may be uniquely affected by social media. However, a synthesis of how social media use relates to eudaimonia is currently missing. The authors fill this gap with a narrative review, synthesizing both theoretical and empirical links between three social media uses (active, passive, screen time) and three indicators of eudaimonic well-being (meaningfulness, authenticity, self-actualization). The results suggest plausible theoretical links yet scarce and inconsistent evidence, allowing no definitive conclusion. The authors discuss how future research can investigate whether social media afford or constrain opportunities to find meaning, live authentically, and grow as a person.