Abstract

This study investigated the relationship between Instagram usage motivation and psychological stress, specifically examining the mediating role of various Instagram posting behaviors. A survey was conducted by 'Survey Link,' a professional research company, targeting 300 adult men and women with Instagram posting experience. Data was collected from November 11 to November 13, 2024. Instagram usage motivations were categorized into four types: seeking interpersonal relationships, seeking information, seeking self-status, and seeking entertainment. Instagram postings were classified into three categories: self-pursuing postings, interactive ritual postings, and self-management postings. Results showed that information-seeking and self-status-seeking motivations were significantly associated with higher stress. Furthermore, among the different types of Instagram postings, only self-management postings significantly mediated the relationship between Instagram usage motivation and stress. These findings suggest that the impact of Instagram usage on mental health depends not only on usage time and posting behavior but, more fundamentally, on how distinct usage motivations shape these expressive behaviors.