The relationship between fragmented self on social media, self-monitoring, and social anxiety: The moderating role of gender
List of Authors
  • Lan Lan

Keyword
  • Social Media, Self-Monitoring, Fragmented Self on Social Media, Gender, Social Anxiety

Abstract
  • In today’s world, social media and the internet have gained tremendous popularity. The habitual use of social media has become a widespread phenomenon among young people. This increased usage of social media has also raised the likelihood of experiencing social anxiety (SA), capturing significant attention from scholars. This study aims to shed light on a relatively unexplored factor: the concept of the fragmented self on social media, which may influence SA. This influence might involve an underlying mechanism, and investigating this mechanism can provide insights that have received less attention in the literature. To achieve this goal, the present study introduces the concept of self-monitoring as a potential mediator in the relationship between the fragmented self and SA, with gender serving as a moderator in the relationship between self-monitoring on social media and SA. Theoretically, the proposed associations between variables in the current study are grounded in impression management theory and self-construal theory. The study adopts a cross-sectional survey approach and gathers data from Chinese university students aged 18-22 through questionnaires. Following data analysis, the results show a positive correlation between the fragmented self on social media and SA, positive relationship between fragmented self on social media and self-monitoring on social media, and positive relationship between self-monitoring on social media and SA. However, the study does not find evidence to support self-monitoring as a mediator in the relationship between the fragmented self on social media and SA. Furthermore, the hypothesized moderating role of gender in the relationship between self-monitoring on social media and SA does not yield significant results. This research enriches our understanding of impression management and offers valuable insights into the complex relationship between the fragmented self on social media, self-monitoring, and SA. It also serves as a guide for social media users, especially Chinese university students aged 18-22, to make more informed and appropriate use of social media.

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