New Study Released: ‘Exploring social media use in sport: Psychological, emotional and social considerations for athlete well-being and performance - Ruser (2023)
In short: Athletes from all background have adopted social media use, and as social media usage continues to grow it presents unique socio-cultural dynamics, challenges and benefits for athletes to navigate. Social media enables athletes to promote their personal brand, it also exposes them to fan abuse and criticism unlike anything seen in society previous.
More detail: Social media has enabled the connectivity of people across the globe with billions interacting across these platforms. The existing research into the psychological impact of social media in sport is currently sparse. Social media usage has been linked with developmental impacts (such as addiction and repetitive behavioural patterns) whilst problematic social media use increases the likelihood of additional psychological diagnoses (i.e., ADHD, depression, anxiety). Social media can also impact how people view themselves as we seek to compare ourselves to those around us which is usually unfavourable to our wellbeing and self-perception.
The pressure to post and engage with others on social media may have a direct impact on an athletes’ perception of autonomy, meaning they are more prone to experience emotional and physical exhaustion. Whilst the negative impacts of social media use have been briefly outlined, there are countless benefits too: sharing of knowledge; revenue generation; increased recognition. Social media may also benefit athletes immediately after competition, enabling them to view videos of there performances from others which aids their reviews and reflections. This research presents a comprehensive overview of the existing research to date, whilst being in the initial stages of furthering the knowledge base in this area.
Find out more about this research here:
Ruser, J. B. (2023). Exploring Social Media Use in Sport: Psychological, Emotional, and Social Considerations for Athlete Well-Being and Performance (Doctoral dissertation, Indiana University).
