A BIBLIOMETRIC ANALYSIS ON INSTAGRAM USE AND LONELINESS

Abstract

The use of social media is associated with many societal indicators. It is suggested that the image-centered nature of Instagram distinguishes it from other platforms in terms of its potential psychosocial effects. Loneliness has emerged as a prominent phenomenon in recent social media studies, necessitating. A systematic review of the relationship between Instagram use and loneliness in recent scientific literature. In response to this need, in this study, scientific studies in all disciplines indexed in the Scopus database between 2013-2023 were examined by limiting them to the keywords "Instagram use" and "loneliness." The data were first tabulated and then visualized with the VOSviewer program. According to the findings, the concepts of Instagram use and loneliness have an increasing number of publications in the last decade, within the discipline of social sciences. The countries with the highest number of publications on Instagram use and loneliness are the USA, the UK and South Korea. When the number of publications on a university basis is analyzed, it is determined that institutions in the USA stand out. Notably, Turkey ranks 8th globally in the number of scientific studies on Instagram use and loneliness. This study provides an up-to-date bibliometric overview that highlights global trends and offers insights into the evolving academic interest in the interplay between social media and psychosocial well-being.

Keywords

• Social media
• Instagram
• Loneliness
• Bibliometric analysis

INSTAGRAM KULLANIMI VE YALNIZLIK ÜZERİNE BİBLİYOMETRİK BİR ANALİZ

Abstract

Sosyal medya kullanımı, toplumsal pek çok gösterge ile ilişkilendirilmektedir. Instagram’ın görüntü merkezli kullanımının diğer sosyal platformlara göre psiko-sosyal göstergeler açısından farklı sonuçlara zemin hazırlayabileceği öne sürülmektedir. Yalnızlık son dönem sosyal medya çalışmalarında öne çıkan bir olgudur. Instagram kullanımı ve yalnızlık kavramlarına son dönemde yapılmış bilimsel çalışmalar açısından sistemli bir bakış açısı getirilmesi ihtiyacı doğmuştur. Bu problemden hareketle bu çalışmada 2013-2023 yılları arasında Scopus veri tabanında yer alan tüm disiplinlerdeki bilimsel çalışmalar, “Instagram kullanımı” ve “yalnızlık” anahtar kelimeleriyle sınırlandırılarak incelenmiştir. Veriler önce tablolaştırılmış sonra VOSviewer programıyla görselleştirilmiştir. Bulgulara göre Instagram kullanımı ve yalnızlık kavramları son on yılda artan bir yayın sayısına sahiptir, kavramlar en çok sosyal bilimler disiplininde yer almaktadır. Instagram kullanımı ve yalnızlık üzerine en çok yayın yapan ülke ABD, İngiltere ve Güney Kore’dir. Üniversite bazında yayın sayısı incelendiğinde ABD’deki kurumların öne çıktığı tespit edilmiştir. Türkiye Instagram kullanımı ve yalnızlık üzerine yapılan bilimsel çalışma sayısında dünya genelinde 8. sıradadır. Bu çalışma, ilgili kavramlara yönelik küresel eğilimleri vurgulayan, sosyal medya ile psikososyal refah arasındaki etkileşime yönelik gelişen akademik ilgiye ilişkin içgörülere sahip güncel bibliyometrik bir bakış sunmaktadır.

Keywords

• Sosyal medya
• Instagram
• Yalnızlık
• Bibliyometrik Analiz

References

1. Alsharif, A. H., Salleh, N. Z., & Baharun, R. (2020). Research trends of neuromarketing: A bibliometric analysis. Journal of Theoretical and Applied Information Technology, 98(15), 2948-2962.
2. Asher, S., & Paquette, J. (2003). Loneliness and peer relations in childhood. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 12, 75−78.
3. Baumeister, R., & Leary, M. (1995). The need to belong: Desire for interpersonal attachments as a fundamental human motivation. Psychological Bulletin, 117, 497−529.
4. Cacioppo, J., & Cacioppo, S. (2018). The growing problem of loneliness. The Lancet, 391. Cacioppo, J., & Patrick, W. (2008). Loneliness: Human nature and the need for social connection. WW Norton & Company.
5. Çiftci, N., Yıldız, M., & Çiftci, K. (2023). The mediating role of social ostracism in the effect of social media addiction on loneliness in adolescents. Journal of Pediatric Nursing, 177-183. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pedn.2023.09.005.
6. datareportal.com. (2024, Ekim 22). Global social media statistics. datareportal.com: https://datareportal.com/social-media-users adresinden alındı
7. Dewey, J. (2024). Loneliness (psychology). Salem Press Encyclopedia, Research Starters.
8. Donthu, N., Kumar, S., Mukherjee, D., Pandey, N., & Lim, W. (2021). How to conduct a bibliometric analysis: An overview and guidelines. Journal of Business Research, 133, 285-296. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2021.04.070

9. Drivas, I., & Vraimaki, E. (2024). Unveiling the feed: Academic libraries' instagram unpacked. The Journal of Academic Librarianship, 50(5). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.acalib.2024.102924
10. Faelens, L., Hoorelbeke, K., Cambier, R., Put, J., Putte, E., Raedt, R., & Koster, E. (2021). The relationship between Instagram use and indicators of mental health: A systematic review. Computers in Human Behavior Reports, 4(100121). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chbr.2021.100121.
11. Fenger, A. (2018). Alone vs. loneliness. Addiction Medicine ve Therapy, 5(3), 127. https://doi.org/10.15406/mojamt.2018.05.00105
12. Gierveld, J. (1998). A review of loneliness: concept and definitions, determinants and consequences. Review in Clinical Geontology, 8, 73-80.
13. Gonzales, A. (2017). Disadvantaged minorities’ use of the Internet to expand their social networks. Communication Research, 44(4), 467-486. https://doi.org/10.1177/0093650214565925
14. Gupta, K., Kumar, C., Deshpande, A., Mittal, A., Chopade, P., & Raut, R. (2023). Internet gaming addiction a bibliometric review. Emerald Insight, 52(1), 62-72. https://doi.org/10.1108/IDD-10-2022-0101
15. Hancock, J., Sunny Xun, L., Luo, M., & Mieczkowski, H. (2022, Mart 9). Pyschological well-being and social media use: A meta-analysis of associations between social media use and depression, anxitey, loneliness, eudaimonic, hedonic and social well-being. papers.ssrn.com: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4053961 adresinden alındı
16. Haq, I. (2020). Social sciences research in Pakistan; Bibliometric analysis . Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)(4499), 1-12.
17. Hasanah, P., & Halimah, L. (2023). Pengaruh lonelinessdan self–controlterhadap Instagram social media disorderpada emerging adulthood. Bandung Conference Series: Psychology Science. Bandung: Universitas Islam Bandung. https://doi.org/10.29313/bcsps.v3i1.5524
18. Hawkley, L., & Cacioppo, J. (2010). Loneliness matters: A theoretical and empirical review of consequences and mechanisms. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 40, 218-227. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12160-010-9210-8
19. Heinrich, L., & Gullone, E. (2006). The clinical significance of loneliness: A literature review. Clinical Psychology Review, 26(6), 695-718. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2006.04.002.
20. Huang, C. (2022). A meta-analysis of the problematic social media use and mental health. International Journal of Social Psychiatry, 68(1), 12-33. https://doi.org/10.1177/0020764020978434
21. Hunt, M., Marx, R., Lipson, C., & Young, J. (2018). No more FOMO: Limiting social media decreases loneliness and depression. Journal of Social&Clinical Psychology, 37(10). https://doi.org/10.1521/jscp.2018.37.10.751
22. Jones, W. (1981). Loneliness and social contact. Journal of Social Psychology, 113, 295−296.
23. Karakuş, M., & Tarhan, A. (2023). Yükseköğretim öğrencilerinin sosyal medya kullanımları ve yalnızlık düzeyleri arasındaki ilişki. İletişim ve Toplum Araştırmaları Dergisi, 3(2), 209-232. https://doi.org/10.59534/jcss.1300658
24. Kardefelt-Winther, D. (2014). A conceptual and methodological critique of internet addiction research: Towards a model of compensatory internet use. Computers in Human Behavior, 31, 351-354. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2013.10.059
25. Kascakova, N., Furstova, J., Hasto, J., & Tavel, P. (2025). Associations of multiple adverse childhood experiences, attachment insecurity and loneliness with physical and mental health difficulties in a representative Slovak sample. Preventive Medicine Reports(102982). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pmedr.2025.102982.
26. Katz, E., Blumler, J., & Gurevitch, M. (1973). Uses and gratifications research. The Public Opinion Quarterly, 37(4), 509-523.
27. Keles, B., McCrae, A., & Grealish, A. (2020). A systematic review: The influence of social media on depression, anxiety and psychological distress in adolescents. International Journal of Adolescence and Youth, 25(1), 79-93,. https://doi.org/10.1080/02673843.2019.1590851
28. Lup, K., Trub, L., & Rosenthal, L. (2015). Instagram #instasad?: exploring associations among instagram use, depressive symptoms, negative social comparison, and strangers followed. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, 18(5), 247-252. https://doi.org/10.1089/cyber.2014.0560
29. Mackson, S., Brochu, P., & Schneider, B. (2019). Instagram: Friend or foe? The application’s association with psychological well-being. New Media & Society, 21(10), 2160-2182. https://doi.org/10.1177%2F1461444819840021
30. Maclean, J., Al-Saggaf, Y., & Hogg, R. (2022). Instagram photo sharing and its relationships with social connectedness, loneliness, and well-Being. Social Media + Society, 8(2). https://doi.org/10.1177/20563051221107650
31. Marttila, E., Koivula, A., & Räsänen, P. (2021). Does excessive social media use decrease subjective well-being? A longitudinal analysis of the relationship between problematic use, loneliness and life satisfaction. Telematics and Informatics, 59(101556). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tele.2020.101556.
32. Masi, C., Chen, H., Hawkley, L., & Cacioppo, J. (2011). A meta-analysis of interventions to reduce loneliness. Personality and Social Psychology Review, 15, 219-266. https://doi.org/10.1177/1088868310377394
33. Mason, T. (2024). Loneliness as a moderator of the association of affective symptoms and binge eating among college women. Eating Behaviors, 54(101903). https://doi.org/doi.org/10.1016/j.eatbeh.2024.101903.
34. McCrow-Young, A. (2020). Approaching Instagram data: reflections on accessing, archiving and anonymising visual social media. Communication Research and Practice, 7(1), 21–34. https://doi.org/10.1080/22041451.2020.1847820
35. O’Day, E., & Heimberg, R. (2021). Social media use, social anxiety, and loneliness: A systematic review. Computers in Human Behavior Reports, 3(100070). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chbr.2021.100070
36. Öztat, F. (2019). Aile içi iletişim doyumu ve sosyal medya kullanım ilişkisi. Selçuk Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü Yüksek Lisans Tezi.
37. Öztat, F. (2023). Sanal Dünya Gerçek Hayat Sosyal Sermayenin İnternete Yansımaları. Literatürk.
38. Öztat, F., & Gülnar, B. (2024). Yalnızlık, olumlu ve olumsuz deneyim düzeyleri ile sosyal medya kullanım ilişkisi. Kafkas Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü Dergisi, 34, 801-827. https://doi.org/10.56597/kausbed.1495136
39. Passas, I. (2024). Bibliometric analysis: The main steps. Encyclopedia, 4(2), 1014-1025. https://doi.org/10.3390/encyclopedia4020065
40. Paula, K. (2011). Yalnızlık Hissi: Teorik Yaklaşımlar (Çev. S. Zengin&M.Kızılgeçit). Dinbilimleri Akademik Araştırma Dergisi, 11(3), 217-229.
41. Peplau, L., & Perlman, D. (1982). Perspectives on loneliness. P. L. A., & P. D. içinde, Loneliness: A sourcebook of current theory, research and therapy (s. 1-18). Wiley.
42. Perlman, D., & Peplau , L. (1981). Toward a social psychology of loneliness. Personal Relationships, 3, 31-56. Pittman, M. (2015). Creating, consuming, and connecting: Examining the relationship between social media engagement and loneliness. The Journal of Social Media in Society , 4(1).
43. Pittman, M., & Reich, B. (2016). Social media and loneliness: Why an Instagram picture may be worth more than a thousand Twitter words. Computers in Human Behavior, 62, 155-167. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2016.03.084
44. Rajan, B., Jose, L., & Sundar, T. (2022). Are You Hooked to the ‘Gram’? Exploring the Correlation between Loneliness, the fear of missing out, and Instagram usage among young Indians. Palabra Clave. https://doi.org/10.5294/pacla.2022.25.2.5
45. Rejeb, R., Rejeb, K., & Abdollahi, A. (2022). The big picture on Instagram research: Insights from a bibliometric analysis. Telematics and Informatics, 73(101876). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tele.2022.101876
46. Rokach, A. (1989). Antecedents of loneliness: A factorial analysis. Journal of Psychology, 123, 369−384. Russell, D., Cutrona, C., Rose, J., & Yurko, K. (1984). Social and emotional loneliness: An examination of Weiss's typology of loneliness. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 46, 1313−1321.
47. Samadieh, H., & Rezaei, M. (2024). A serial mediation model of sense of belonging to university and life satisfaction: The role of social loneliness and depression. Acta Psychologica(102982). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actpsy.2024.104562.
48. Sarman, A., & Tuncay, S. (2023). The relationship of Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok and WhatsApp/Telegram with loneliness and anger of adolescents living in Turkey: A structural equality model. Journal of Pediatric Nursing, 72, 16-25. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pedn.2023.03.017
49. Schoenfeld, R., & Fiori, K. (2021). All social media are not created equal: Instagram, Finsta, and loneliness. Journal of Social, Behavioral, and Health Sciences, 15(1), 258–277. https://doi.org/10.5590/JSBHS.2021.15.1.18
50. Scott, G., Boyle, E., Czerniawska, K., & Courtney, A. (2018). Posting photos on Facebook: The impact of narcissism, social anxiety, loneliness, and shyness, personality and individual differences. Personality and Individual Differences, 133, 67-72. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2016.12.039
51. Türkmen, O., Kavaklı, M., & Ak, M. (2022). The multiple mediating roles of self-esteem and happiness in the relationship between loneliness and depression in Facebook and Instagram users (eng). Turkish J Clin Psy, 25(1), 23-30. https://doi.org/10.5505/kpd.2022.79663
52. Verduyn, P., Gugushvili, N., & Massar, K. (2020). Social comparison on social networking sites. Current Opinion in Psychology, 32-37. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.copsyc.2020.04.002
53. Wallace, E., & Buil, I. (2021). Hiding Instagram likes: Effects on negative affect and loneliness. Personality and Individual Differences, 170(110509). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2020.110509
54. Walsh, S. (2024, Ekim 2). Instagram statistics and fact facts for 2024. searchenginejournal.com: https://www.searchenginejournal.com/instagram-facts/314439/ adresinden alındı
55. Weiss, R. (1973). Loneliness: The experience of emotional and social isolation. The MIT Press.
56. weraresocial.com. (2023, Mart). Digital 2020 global overview report. wearesocial.com: https://wearesocial.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Digital-2023-Global-Overview-Report.pdf adresinden alındı
57. Wong, D. (2018). VOSviewer. Technical Services Quarterly, 35(2), 219–220. https://doi.org/10.1080/07317131.2018.1425352
58. Yang, C. (2016). Instagram use, loneliness, and social comparison orientation: Interact and browse on social media, but don't compare. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, 19(2). https://doi.org/10.1089/cyber.2016.0201
59. Ye, S., Ho, K., & Zerbe , A. (2021). The effects of social media usage on loneliness and well-being: analysing friendship connections of Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Information Discovery and Delivery, 49(2), 136-150. https://doi.org/10.1108/IDD-08-2020-0091