A double-edged sword: Exploring associations between engagement with mental health content by social media influencers and psychological well-being
- Author(s)
- Jaroslava Kanková, Sofie Vranken, Jörg Matthes
- Abstract
In the midst of a growing global mental health crisis, an increasing number of young people encounter mental health-related content on social media, particularly from influential socialization actors like social media influencers. However, it remains unclear whether and how engagement with such influencer-driven content relates to young people’s psychological well-being. This study specifically investigates whether engagement with mental health content from social media influencers is associated with mental health literacy, self-diagnostic tendencies, and overall life satisfaction. Using cross-sectional survey data from N = 1,113 Gen Z social media users in the United States (M
age = 22.05; SD
age = 2.89, 53.55% females), we examined the relationships between these constructs. Our findings indicate that engagement with mental health content by social media influencers is associated with increased mental health literacy. At the same time, this engagement is also linked to lower life satisfaction through heightened self-diagnostic tendencies. These results illustrate a double-edged sword where influencer-driven mental health content can be both beneficial and detrimental for young people’s well-being.
- Organisation(s)
- Department of Communication
- Journal
- Cyberpsychology : Journal of Psychological Research in Cyberspace
- Volume
- 19
- ISSN
- 1802-7962
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.5817/CP2025-5-2
- Publication date
- 09-2025
- Peer reviewed
- Yes
- Austrian Fields of Science 2012
- 508007 Communication science
- Keywords
- ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Communication, Social Sciences (miscellaneous), General Psychology
- Sustainable Development Goals
- SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being
- Portal url
- https://ucrisportal.univie.ac.at/en/publications/38303d21-ec49-4239-8a5c-e2438f27baa7