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Social Media Support Eases Anxiety, Study Finds
Researchers discover specific personality traits benefit most from emotional support on social media.
Feb. 4, 2026 at 1:55am
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A new study from the University of Arkansas and the University of Alabama found that young adults who receive emotional support on social media are significantly more likely to report reduced anxiety symptoms, with certain personality traits like high openness, extraversion, and agreeableness benefiting the most. The research suggests social media can be a potential solution to the growing mental health crisis, though the direction of the association is still unclear.
Why it matters
Anxiety is a major public health issue, affecting roughly a third of adults in the U.S. and increasing risks for depression, suicide, and other negative outcomes. Understanding how social media use can impact anxiety, both positively and negatively, is crucial for developing effective mental health interventions, especially for young adults.
The details
The study, published in Psychiatry International, analyzed survey data from over 2,400 U.S. adults aged 18-30. It found that people with high openness, extraversion, agreeableness, and low conscientiousness reported the greatest increases in perceived social media emotional support, which in turn was associated with reduced anxiety symptoms. The researchers note the findings suggest improving emotional awareness and support on social media platforms could be integral for improving overall health and well-being.
- The study was published on February 4, 2026.
The players
Renae Merrill
A lecturer in the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Arkansas and co-author of the study.
Chunhua Cao
An assistant professor in the College of Education at the University of Alabama and co-author of the study.
What they’re saying
“Longitudinal studies demonstrate an association between social media use and anxiety. However, the mechanism of this association in terms of emotional support is not completely understood. This new study addressed these important research questions, finding strong and linear associations of reduced anxiety, especially among females.”
— Renae Merrill, Lecturer, University of Arkansas
“People thrive when they feel valued, supported and part of a cohesive group. Becoming more emotionally aware in our interactions with others is essential. This involves taking the time to really understand what others are going through and offering positive meaningful support as much as possible. Improving perception, communication, and emotional awareness both in-person and on social media platforms is integral for improving health and well-being.”
— Renae Merrill, Lecturer, University of Arkansas
What’s next
The researchers note that the study cannot determine the direction of the association between social media support and reduced anxiety, so future longitudinal research is needed to better understand the causal mechanisms.
The takeaway
This study suggests that social media can be a potential solution to the growing mental health crisis, with certain personality types benefiting the most from emotional support on these platforms. However, more research is still needed to fully understand the complex relationship between social media use and anxiety.
