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1. Introduction
In the digitalized society of the 21st century social media have become more important
in our daily lives than ever before. In fact, there are 4.55 billion people from all over the
world who are using social media nowadays (Smart Insights, 2021). In addition, 64 percent of
the generation Z actively makes use of social media (Bright et al., 2021). One of the many
different platforms of social media is Instagram, where people from all over the world post
their happy lives. But, is there an actual relation with seeing the happy lives of others and
feeling happy ourselves? This text will discuss the relation between the social media platform
Instagram and the influence of happiness. The goal of this text is to present, explain and make
it clear to the reader what the important relationship between Instagram and happiness entails.
2. Theoretical framework
In the following section this paper will identify and analyze the various literatures
regarding happiness as a construct. In addition, this paper will discuss the possible external
variable related to Instagram and happiness. To conclude, there will be a framework
constructed to create a model that depicts the components that influence happiness related to
Instagram.
2.1 Happiness as a construct
Researchers have found various definitions for the term of happiness. Diener et al.
(2005) states ‘happiness is the result of a low frequency of negative emotions and high
frequency of positive emotions, combined with high levels of life satisfaction.’ Seligman, M.
(2017) has found that ‘happiness is the stemming from finding the meaning of life’. Due to
the lack of a generally agreed upon definition for the term of happiness, this text will be using
the definition of happiness as stated by Diener et al. (2005).
2.2 Instagram as a platform
To figure out how the happiness of an individual can be influenced by social media it
is necessary to have a clear understanding of the term social media. According to Boyd and
Ellison (2007) social media can be described as ‘web-based services that allow individuals to
a. construct public profiles within a bounded system, b. articulate a list of other users with
whom they share a connection, and c. view and traverse their list of connections and those
made by others within the system’.
The social media platform Instagram has been researched thoroughly in all parts of the
world in the recent years, due to the fact that the popularity of the social media platform has
rapidly increased. The usage stagnation of Instagram results in more and more people being
influenced by the social media platform in various ways regarding their happiness.
2.3 Possible mediators of the relationship between happiness and Instagram
This part of the text will discuss the possible mediators that play a role in the
relationship between happiness and Instagram. Firstly, this text will address the mediator’s
social comparison and self-esteem. Secondly, the mediator of loneliness will be discussed.
1. Introduction
In the digitalized society of the 21st century social media have become more important
in our daily lives than ever before. In fact, there are 4.55 billion people from all over the
world who are using social media nowadays (Smart Insights, 2021). In addition, 64 percent of
the generation Z actively makes use of social media (Bright et al., 2021). One of the many
different platforms of social media is Instagram, where people from all over the world post
their happy lives. But, is there an actual relation with seeing the happy lives of others and
feeling happy ourselves? This text will discuss the relation between the social media platform
Instagram and the influence of happiness. The goal of this text is to present, explain and make
it clear to the reader what the important relationship between Instagram and happiness entails.
2. Theoretical framework
In the following section this paper will identify and analyze the various literatures
regarding happiness as a construct. In addition, this paper will discuss the possible external
variable related to Instagram and happiness. To conclude, there will be a framework
constructed to create a model that depicts the components that influence happiness related to
Instagram.
2.1 Happiness as a construct
Researchers have found various definitions for the term of happiness. Diener et al.
(2005) states ‘happiness is the result of a low frequency of negative emotions and high
frequency of positive emotions, combined with high levels of life satisfaction.’ Seligman, M.
(2017) has found that ‘happiness is the stemming from finding the meaning of life’. Due to
the lack of a generally agreed upon definition for the term of happiness, this text will be using
the definition of happiness as stated by Diener et al. (2005).
2.2 Instagram as a platform
To figure out how the happiness of an individual can be influenced by social media it
is necessary to have a clear understanding of the term social media. According to Boyd and
Ellison (2007) social media can be described as ‘web-based services that allow individuals to
a. construct public profiles within a bounded system, b. articulate a list of other users with
whom they share a connection, and c. view and traverse their list of connections and those
made by others within the system’.
The social media platform Instagram has been researched thoroughly in all parts of the
world in the recent years, due to the fact that the popularity of the social media platform has
rapidly increased. The usage stagnation of Instagram results in more and more people being
influenced by the social media platform in various ways regarding their happiness.
2.3 Possible mediators of the relationship between happiness and Instagram
This part of the text will discuss the possible mediators that play a role in the
relationship between happiness and Instagram. Firstly, this text will address the mediator’s
social comparison and self-esteem. Secondly, the mediator of loneliness will be discussed.
