This study investigates whether habitual use of short-form video platforms—specifically Instagram Reels—may inhibit trauma processing in individuals exposed to adverse experiences. By combining qualitative interviews with psychometric data and usage analytics, the study aims to explore the hypothesis that compulsive engagement with Reels serves as a dissociative coping mechanism, potentially delaying or impeding emotional integration and trauma recovery.
- Background: Social media has become a ubiquitous tool for distraction and entertainment. In particular, short-form video content (e.g., Reels, TikToks) offers continuous, algorithm-driven stimulation.
- Trauma Processing: Trauma requires emotional presence and cognitive integration. Avoidance behaviors—such as substance abuse or overwork—are known to interfere with this process.
- Hypothesis: Excessive consumption of Instagram Reels may act similarly, becoming a digital avoidance behavior that inhibits trauma processing by promoting emotional disengagement and cognitive fragmentation.
- Sample Size: 80 participants aged 18–40 with a history of trauma (screened using the Life Events Checklist for DSM-5).
- Inclusion Criteria: Regular Instagram users (>1 hour/day), trauma experienced in the past 2 years.
- Control Group: Trauma-exposed individuals who do not engage with Reels/TikTok-style content frequently.
- PTSD Symptom Severity: PCL-5 (PTSD Checklist for DSM-5)
- Emotional Avoidance: Multidimensional Experiential Avoidance Questionnaire (MEAQ)
- Social Media Use: Custom questionnaire + screen time tracking
- Dissociation Levels: Dissociative Experiences Scale-II (DES-II)
- Qualitative Interviews: Semi-structured interviews probing content use motives and post-trauma adaptation
- Phase 1: Baseline assessment of trauma, dissociation, social media habits
- Phase 2: 30-day observational period using digital well-being tracking
- Phase 3: Post-period interviews and reassessment
- Optional Phase 4: A digital detox intervention group with pre/post comparison
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Quantitative data to be analyzed via regression modeling and ANOVA
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Thematic analysis of qualitative interviews
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Focus on correlations between Reels usage and indicators of:
- Trauma symptom severity
- Emotional avoidance
- Dissociative tendencies
- Preliminary Hypothesis: Instagram Reels consumption acts as a behavioral avoidance mechanism, offering emotional numbing and distraction that temporarily soothes but ultimately impairs trauma integration.
- Theoretical Implications: Aligns with theories of trauma avoidance and maladaptive coping.
- Limitations: Self-report biases, difficulty isolating Reels-specific effects, potential confounds (e.g., depression, ADHD)
- Social media platforms, while not inherently harmful, may play a role in trauma-related avoidance.
- Clinical implications for screening Reels/TikTok use in trauma therapy settings.
- Calls for further research into algorithmic entertainment’s role in psychological healing.
None, this is just a joke.