| Description |
Perceptions & Identity: A Narrative Inquiry Study of Young Women's Experiences with Social Media sought to understand young women's experiences with social media, their curated algorithms, and their connections to mental health. The research question: "how do young women describe the influences of social media platforms and their curated algorithms' connection (if at all) to mental health and wellness?" explores the impact and causes of their experiences. The Perfect Storm , a developmental-sociocultural framework, was used to understand the effects of the combined forces of adolescent development, gender socialization, and social media on young women. Data used for this study included art collages, field notes, and interviews. This data identified four themes: Mirror Syndrome, Friend Weaving, Cogniscope, and Hope. These four themes were present in all six of my participants' data. Significant to this study was that while it supported previous research about the harms that occur from social media use, these participants were resolute in their ability to not only understand their experiences but also to find hope for future healing and wellness. These young women are strong and capable and want to share their voices with future generations about how to combat and mitigate the harms that come from social media platforms and their curated algorithms. Continued research is needed to explore practical ways to support those who have suffered from these negative experiences. |
