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Gepubliceerd in:

27-11-2024 | Empirical Research

Online Self-Presentation, Self-Concept Clarity, and Depressive Symptoms: A Within-Person Examination

Auteurs: Tracy K. Wong, Chloe A. Hamza

Gepubliceerd in: Journal of Youth and Adolescence | Uitgave 4/2025

Abstract

Although social media provides a crucial platform for self-development in emerging adulthood, the link between online self-presentation and mental health outcomes remains unclear. Thus, the associations among real self, ideal self, different types of false self-presentations, and depressive symptoms were examined over time (T1–T3) in the present study, along with the mediating role of self-concept clarity. Participants (N = 1,217, Mage = 18.14, 71% female-identifying) completed a survey three times over one year. Random-intercept cross-lagged panel modelling indicated that individuals presenting themselves authentically tended to demonstrate stronger self-concept clarity and fewer depressive symptoms. Those engaging in false-deceptive, compare/impress, and ideal self-presentation tended to have weaker self-concept clarity and more depressive symptoms. A within-person bidirectional association was found between false-deceptive self-presentation and depressive symptoms. Within-person increases in false-explore self-presentation predicted increases in depressive symptoms, whereas increases in compare/impress self-presentation predicted decreases in depressive symptoms. Self-concept clarity was not a significant mediator. The findings suggest that promoting authentic online self-presentation may support self-concept clarity and reduce risk of mental health challenges in emerging adults. However, engaging in false-deceptive online self-presentation (both greater than typical levels and compared to others) may increase risk of mental health challenges, and vice versa.

vorige artikel When Push Comes to Shove: Unravelling the Developmental and Longitudinal Dynamic Relationship between Bullying and Empathy in Chinese School Children

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Titel: Online Self-Presentation, Self-Concept Clarity, and Depressive Symptoms: A Within-Person Examination
Auteurs: Tracy K. Wong
Chloe A. Hamza
Publicatiedatum: 27-11-2024
Uitgeverij: Springer US
Gepubliceerd in: Journal of Youth and Adolescence / Uitgave 4/2025
Print ISSN: 0047-2891
Elektronisch ISSN: 1573-6601
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-024-02109-0

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Online Self-Presentation, Self-Concept Clarity, and Depressive Symptoms: A Within-Person Examination

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