The Impact of Social Media Self-Presentation and Anxiety on Ruminative Exploration Among Women Across Diverse Racial and Ethnic Groups

Background: Ruminative exploration is a maladaptive form of identity development and is related to higher rates of anxiety and depression. Few researchers have examined how the four dimensions of social media self-presentation (breadth, depth, positivity, authenticity) impact ruminative exploration; much of the literature focuses on identity coherence or identity clarity. Furthermore, the social diversification hypothesis supports that social media is used differently across racial/ethnic groups. The current study aimed to understand how social media self-presentation predicted ruminative exploration while examining the role of anxiety among women (18–29 years old) from diverse backgrounds. Method: The study design was cross-sectional and used convenience sampling. Participants (N = 225) completed surveys including the Social Media Self-Presentation Scale (SMSPS), the State-Trait Inventory for Cognitive and Somatic Anxiety, and the Dimensions of Identity Development Scale. Results: Overall, breadth and authenticity of social media self-presentation predicted lower ruminative exploration, but anxiety predicted higher ruminative exploration. There was no interaction between anxiety and any of the four SMSPS dimensions. Distinct patterns emerged when examining social media self-presentation on ruminative exploration by racial/ethnic groups. Deep and authentic presentation predicted lower ruminative exploration for Black women. Posting positive content predicted higher ruminative exploration for White women. For Latina women, none of the SMSPS dimensions predicted ruminative exploration. For each racial/ethnic group, anxiety predicted higher ruminative exploration, but there was no interaction between any of the SMSPS dimensions and anxiety on ruminative exploration. Conclusions: Findings indicate that sharing deeply and authentically may support less ruminative exploration, particularly for Black women. However, anxiety’s impact on ruminative exploration is not moderated by social media self-presentation.