Perfectionistic self-presentation and smartphone addiction: The role of Instagram use motives and behaviours

Abstract

This study investigates the link between the perfectionistic self-presentation and smartphone addiction, with a particular focus on the driving motives and behavioural patterns associated with Instagram use. Engaging a sample of 313 individuals , predominantly female (58.5%), aged 18 to 39 (M = 23.67; SD = 4.77), we meticulously examined the factors that might underpin this dynamic. The following scales were used as measures: the Perfectionistic Self-Presentation Scale, the Motives for Instagram Use Scale, the Instagram Usage Questionnaire, and the Smartphone Addiction Short Scale. The path analysis results revealed a correlation between the perfectionistic self-presentation and smartphone addiction. It was also confirmed that perfectionistic self-presentation was associated with increased motives for Instagram use, which were further linked to Instagram usage habits, ultimately leading to higher levels of smartphone addiction. All motives were found to be connected to the need for perfectionistic self-presentation, with different motives underpinning active or passive use of social networks and subsequent potential addiction. Interpreted through the lens of the Perfectionistic Social Exclusion Model and the Uses and Gratifications Theory, our results offer richer understanding of how social media can fulfil perfectionistic tendencies and contribute to addictive behaviours. The study emphasizes the need for a multidimensional approach to examining the social media's psychological impact, proposing a bridge between individual predispositions and broader social phenomena. These insights not only contribute to academic discourse, but also have implications for mental health practitioners and policy makers concerned with the growing intersection of social media use and psychological well-being.