Routinen und Selbstkontrolle bei der Social-Media-Nutzung: Eine quantitative Untersuchung affektiver Nutzungserfahrungen

The corresponding article can be accessed here: Article language: German The study examines the relationships between self control processes, habitual use and affective reactions in everyday Instagram use. The aim was to understand how perceived self-control failure relates to frequent, automated use and the affective experience of young adults, and what role different self-control strategies play in this context. A cross-sectional online survey was conducted with 156 young adults aged between 18 and 34 years. The study employed established scales measuring habitual Instagram use, self-control failure in the context of social media, as well as positive and negative affect. The data were analyzed using correlation and regression analyses, paired-sample t-tests, and complementary descriptive methods. The results indicate that habitual Instagram use is significantly associated with more frequent self-control failure and higher emotional activation during use. In contrast, successful self-control is linked to a more positive emotional experience. No significant differences were found between situational/proactive and cognitive/reactive strategies regarding either positive or negative affect following successful application. Overall, the findings highlight that digital self-control is not an isolated personality trait, but a dynamic process shaped by the interaction between the individual, the platform, and the usage context. The study contributes to a better understanding of everyday social media use and emphasizes the importance of preventive self-control strategies to promote digital well-being.