The Online Looking Glass: The Study of Self Esteem and Narcissism on Instagram within a Patriarchal and Collectivist Society

Abstract

Online social networking sites have revealed an entirely new method of impression management and self-expression. These user-generated social tools present a new and evolving medium of investigation to study personality and identity. The current study examines how narcissism and self-esteem are demonstrated on the social networking application Instagram. To frame our research, we utilized the Uses and Gratifications Theory, which explains why audiences consume mediated messages and how and why authors create user-generated media (UGM). In this research our objective was to understand how and why users of Instagram in Kuwait were using the social media platform and how it related and impacted their self-esteem and how it revealed, if any, narcissistic personality traits. To do so, self-esteem and narcissistic personality self-reports were collected from 79 Instagram users in Kuwait and we also followed and analyzed their Instagram accounts. In our analysis, these participants’ profiles were coded on self-promotional content features based on their Instagram photos and captions posted on their Instagram accounts. By probing the relationship between this new medium, we can begin to understand the relationship amongst technology, culture, and the self. Keywords: social media, Kuwait, Instagram, self-esteem, narcissism, social networking

The Effects of Self-Esteem and Online Privacy Concern on Generations’ Attitudes Towards Instagram

“…Those with average self-esteem share the most provocative photos Instagram, while those with high self-esteem share more humorous and filtered content, in contrast to low self-esteem participants (Hill & Denman, 2016). Users investing significant time in their Instagram posts tend to have narcissistic traits and high self-esteem compared to those less focused on their content, revealing a direct link between narcissism and self-esteem (Dinkha et al, 2022). Therefore, individuals with low self-esteem tend to disregard privacy concerns and engage in numerous posts while actively using Instagram.…”

“…Participants with high self-esteem, on the other hand, shared more humorous and filtered photos compared to participants with low self-esteem (Hill & Denman, 2016).Users who spend a significant amount of time preparing their Instagram posts have been found to have narcissistic traits and high self-esteem when compared to individuals who show less interest in their content. A direct relationship between narcissism and selfesteem was discovered (Dinkha et al, 2022). In a world where social media and Instagram are intertwined with daily life, the way users perceive and interact with these platforms is shaped by a range of personal and societal factors.…”