The objective of this study was to investigate college students’ mindfulness practices with social media. A total of 539 college students were surveyed and reported using varying levels of mindfulness with their social media usage. Two new measures were developed: the Social Media Use Scale and Social Media - Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (SMMAAS). Multiple linear regressions and t-tests were performed. Results revealed (a) women rated higher on Social Media Use versus men, (b) men rated higher on the SM-MAAS versus women, (c) mindful acting with awareness was associated with social media use, (d) mindful acting with awareness, nonreactivity to inner experience, and nonjudging of inner experience were associated with social media use and the SMMAAS. Discussion points to ways that social media can nurture healthy communication and support from others that enhance positive views of self.
Punyanunt-Carter et al. (Fri,) studied this question.