Modulation of Instagram Number of Followings by Avoidance in Close Relationships in Young Adults under a Gene x Environment Perspective

Andrea Bonassi, Alessandro Carollo, Ilaria Cataldo, Giulio Gabrieli, Moses Tandiono, Jia Nee Foo, Bruno Lepri and Gianluca Esposito
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Andrea Bonassi: Department of Psychology and Cognitive Science, University of Trento, 38068 Rovereto TN, Italy
Alessandro Carollo: Department of Psychology and Cognitive Science, University of Trento, 38068 Rovereto TN, Italy
Ilaria Cataldo: Department of Psychology and Cognitive Science, University of Trento, 38068 Rovereto TN, Italy
Giulio Gabrieli: Psychology Program, School of Social Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 639818, Singapore
Moses Tandiono: Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 308232, Singapore
Jia Nee Foo: Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 308232, Singapore
Bruno Lepri: Mobile and Social Computing Lab, Fondazione Bruno Kessler, 38123 Trento TN, Italy
Gianluca Esposito: Department of Psychology and Cognitive Science, University of Trento, 38068 Rovereto TN, Italy

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 14, 1-14

Abstract: Social networking sites have determined radical changes in human life, demanding investigations on online socialization mechanisms. The knowledge acquired on in-person sociability could guide researchers to consider both environmental and genetic features as candidates of online socialization. Here, we explored the impact of the quality of adult attachment and the genetic properties of the Serotonin Transporter Gene ( 5-HTTLPR ) on Instagram social behavior. Experiences in Close Relationships-Revised questionnaire was adopted to assess 57 Instagram users’ attachment pattern in close relationships with partners. Genotypes from the 5-HTTLPR /rs25531 region were extracted from the users’ buccal mucosa and analyzed. Users’ Instagram social behavior was examined from four indexes: number of posts, number of followed users (“followings”) and number of followers, and the Social Desirability Index calculated from the followers to followings ratio. Although no interaction between rs25531 and ECR-R dimensions was found, an association between avoidance in close relationships and Instagram number of followings emerged. Post hoc analyses revealed adult avoidance from the partner predicts the Instagram number of followings with good evidence. Moreover, users reporting high avoidance levels displayed fewer followings than users who reported low levels of avoidance. This research provides a window into the psychobiological understanding of online socialization on Instagram.

Keywords: gene x environment; close relationship; avoidance; serotonin transporter gene; rs25531; social networking sites; online behavior; Instagram (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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