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New research published in the Journal of American College Health investigated the relationship of sad-fishing to attachment style as well as interpersonal and online support. The findings indicate that those who engage in “sad-fishing” online might be more likely to have an anxious attachment style. However, those who engaged in sad-fishing did not differ from others in their interpersonal and online support.
Social media has become a tool for social connection, especially for adolescents and emerging adults. Social connection can be sought out in ways both positive and negative. The research team defines sad-fishing as “a tendency of social media users to publish exaggerations of their emotional states to generate sympathy.”
Engaging in sad-fishing may leave individuals vulnerable to rejection when seeking help. It also may become a pathological tool used to manipulate those in their social circle. Both outcomes may result in significant challenges for the sad-fisher. Secondarily, when social media consumers become desensitized to suffering due to the assumption that most people are sad-fishing, those who need help may not get it.
Cara Petrofes and her colleagues aimed to discover what psychological elements may motivate some to engage in sad-fishing. Their hypothesis stated that they felt sad-fishers would have a more anxious attachment style and lower interpersonal and/or online support levels.
Social media has become a tool for social connection, especially for adolescents and emerging adults. Social connection can be sought out in ways both positive and negative. The research team defines sad-fishing as “a tendency of social media users to publish exaggerations of their emotional states to generate sympathy.”
Engaging in sad-fishing may leave individuals vulnerable to rejection when seeking help. It also may become a pathological tool used to manipulate those in their social circle. Both outcomes may result in significant challenges for the sad-fisher. Secondarily, when social media consumers become desensitized to suffering due to the assumption that most people are sad-fishing, those who need help may not get it.
Cara Petrofes and her colleagues aimed to discover what psychological elements may motivate some to engage in sad-fishing. Their hypothesis stated that they felt sad-fishers would have a more anxious attachment style and lower interpersonal and/or online support levels.
Psychologists have started to examine why people engage in "sad-fishing" on the internet
New research published in the Journal of American College Health investigated the relationship of sad-fishing to attachment style as well as interpersonal and online support.
www.psypost.org
