Ethics code: 12.01.2023.IRB.
Rizzo A, Batra K, Yıldırım M, Bulut S, Tordonato G, De Maio V, et al . Social Media: Stress Factors or Coping Strategies? A Pilot Study in a Sample of Italian Teachers. Iranian Rehabilitation Journal 2024; 22 (2) :333-344
URL:
http://irj.uswr.ac.ir/article-1-2200-en.html
Amelia Rizzo * 1,
Kavita Batra2 ,
Murat Yıldırım3 ,
Sefa Bulut4 ,
Guendalina Tordonato1 ,
Virginia De Maio1 ,
Hicham Khabbache5 ,
Łukasz Szarpak6 ,
Mahmood Bahramizadeh7 ,
Rezvaneh Namazi Yousefi8 ,
Francesco Chirico9
1- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.
2- Department of Medical Education, Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, United States.
3- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Sciences and Letters, Ağrı İbrahim Çeçen University, Ağrı, Turkey.
4- Department of Counseling Psychology, Counseling Center, Faculty of Educational Sciences, Ibn Haldun University, Istanbul, Turkey.
5- Laboratory of Morocco, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Arts and Human Sciences Fès-Saïss, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, Fez, Morocco.
6- Henry JN Taub Department of Emergency Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States.
7- Department of Orthotics and Prosthetics, Faculty of Rehabilitation, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
8- Research Center, Deputy of Research and Technology, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
9- Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, School of occupational Health, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome Campus, Italy.
Abstract: (1910 Views)
Objectives: The present study aims to address the psychological motivations behind social media use, focusing on its under-explored regulatory function in the context of coping strategies and emotional regulation among teachers. This exploratory research explores the relationship between social media engagement and its impact on educators’ stress management and emotional regulation mechanisms.
Methods: To investigate this relationship, the study utilized two key instruments: The coping inventory for stressful situations and the Italian version of the difficulties in emotion regulation scale. These tools were administered to a sample of 214 Italian teachers, predominantly female (90.7%), with ages ranging from 25 to 65 years (Mean±SD 47.19±9.02 years). The study employed correlation analysis to assess the associations between social media use in addition to various coping and emotional regulation strategies.
Results: The correlation analysis revealed a nuanced relationship between the usage of certain social media platforms and a higher inclination toward a problem-oriented coping style, alongside a decreased sense of a lack of negative emotional control. Accordingly, while social media can serve as a tool for problem-oriented coping, it may also hinder the ability to disengage from negative emotional states.
Discussion: The results of this study shed light on the potential of social media as a resource and a challenge in the emotional and professional lives of teachers. By identifying specific coping strategies that are positively and negatively associated with social media use, the research points toward possible interventions that could mitigate the adverse effects of social media. This could include developing targeted support mechanisms to enhance teachers’ ability to manage stress and regulate emotions effectively, thereby optimizing their use of social media in a way that supports their psychological well-being.
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● A plethora of research has predominantly concentrated on the utilization of social media platforms by students and adolescents, overlooking teachers.
● Educators may perceive social media as a dual-faceted phenomenon: A source of stress or a valuable resource.
● There are correlations between social media utilization and stress management strategies employed by teachers.
● This investigation marks the inaugural exploration of the significance of social media usage in the context of emotional regulation among educators.
● Comprehending the application of digital devices and social media as mechanisms for emotional and psychological regulation can facilitate identifying and enhancing psychological resources and preventive strategies.
Plain Language Summary
The psychological motivations for the use of social media have garnered great interest in the literature lately. However, its regulatory function has not yet been fully explained. This exploratory study investigates the relationship between social media, coping strategies, and emotional regulation among teachers. For the assessment, the coping inventory for stressful situations and the difficulties in emotion regulation scale, Italian version, were used as survey tools. A total of 214 Italian teachers participated in this study (90.7% female), aged between 25 and 65 years. Correlation analysis showed a relationship between the use of some social media with a greater propensity for problem-oriented coping style and less lack of control, in addition to a difficulty in distraction from negative emotions. The results indicate potential strategies for mitigating challenges associated with social media, offering effective interventions to assist teachers in coping with stress.
Article type:
Original Research Articles |
Subject:
Psychology Received: 2024/01/10 | Accepted: 2024/02/12 | Published: 2024/06/1
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