Do you find many of your contacts constantly sharing their workout routines and fitness activities on Facebook? While their social media posts may be inspiring you or probably annoying, a study carried out by researchers from Brunel University in London suggests that this activity may be an indication that they are suffering from a personality disorder.
In the study, data was collected from 555 Facebook users who answered an online survey measuring the “Big Five” personality traits like conscientiousness, openness, agreeableness, neuroticism and extroversion. They also looked into self-esteem and narcissism.
Their findings suggest that people who “brag” about their exercise, diets, as well as their accomplishments are typically narcissists. The primary goal for such social media activity was apparently to show off how much time you spend in improving your looks.
"Narcissists more frequently updated about their achievements, which was motivated by their need for attention and validation from the Facebook community,” the study suggests.
“Narcissists also wrote more status updates about their diet and exercise routine, suggesting that they use Facebook to broadcast the effort they put into their physical appearance.”
The researchers also found that these types of status updates earn more likes on the social network than other kinds of posts. However, Dr. Tara Marshal explained receiving more likes and comments to this type of status updates does not necessarily equate that they love seeing it. It is possible that your Facebook friends only politely offer support but they secretly dislike “such egotistical displays.”
According to the research team, further studies must be carried out to look into responses to such status update topics, the likeability of the people posting them and whether particular topics put people at higher risk of being unfriended.
The study also concluded that people who regularly post updates about their romantic partners suffer from low self-esteem.
--Mini, The Summit Express
In the study, data was collected from 555 Facebook users who answered an online survey measuring the “Big Five” personality traits like conscientiousness, openness, agreeableness, neuroticism and extroversion. They also looked into self-esteem and narcissism.
Their findings suggest that people who “brag” about their exercise, diets, as well as their accomplishments are typically narcissists. The primary goal for such social media activity was apparently to show off how much time you spend in improving your looks.
"Narcissists more frequently updated about their achievements, which was motivated by their need for attention and validation from the Facebook community,” the study suggests.
“Narcissists also wrote more status updates about their diet and exercise routine, suggesting that they use Facebook to broadcast the effort they put into their physical appearance.”
The researchers also found that these types of status updates earn more likes on the social network than other kinds of posts. However, Dr. Tara Marshal explained receiving more likes and comments to this type of status updates does not necessarily equate that they love seeing it. It is possible that your Facebook friends only politely offer support but they secretly dislike “such egotistical displays.”
According to the research team, further studies must be carried out to look into responses to such status update topics, the likeability of the people posting them and whether particular topics put people at higher risk of being unfriended.
The study also concluded that people who regularly post updates about their romantic partners suffer from low self-esteem.
--Mini, The Summit Express
