Instagram Popularity Seeking and the Meaning of Happiness in Early Adulthood: A Qualitative Study

Aisyah Wulan Suci; Maemunah Maemunah; Isnaini Isnaini

doi:10.58421/gehu.v5i5.1951

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.58421/gehu.v5i5.1951

Authors

Aisyah Wulan Suci Universitas Muhammadiyah Mataram
Maemunah Maemunah Universitas Muhammadiyah Mataram
Isnaini Isnaini Universitas Muhammadiyah Mataram

Keywords:

Instagram popularity, social comparison, early adulthood

Abstract

This study explores how Instagram popularity seeking is experienced and understood in relation to the meaning of happiness in early adulthood, highlighting how visual culture and social evaluation shape emotional well-being. A descriptive qualitative approach was used through in-depth interviews, digital observation, and documentation to capture participants' direct experiences and digital behavior. The study involved three young adult participants aged 18–21 years, consisting of one male and two females, and two female expert informants, consisting of a psychology lecturer and an Instagram observer. The study was conducted in a university environment for the primary participants, while the expert informants were interviewed based on their relevant expertise. The data analysis focused on recurring themes, such as identity performativity, social comparison, and emotional dependence, using the Miles and Huberman approach through data reduction, data display, and conclusion drawing. Research shows that popularity on Instagram is seen as a marker of social value and modern relevance, encouraging users to adjust their appearance and content to align with dominant aesthetic norms. Validation in the form of likes, comments, and number of followers does provide short-term emotional satisfaction, but at the same time reinforces fragile happiness because it depends on unstable external responses. Social comparison, the FOMO phenomenon, and repeated exposure to idealized content were described by participants as contributing to psychological pressure, including anxiety, self-dissatisfaction, and dependence on digital appreciation for feelings of self-worth. These findings reveal the paradox that digital connectivity may increase emotional vulnerability and challenge participants' perceptions of authentic well-being. This study concludes that the culture of popularity on Instagram is closely associated with how young adults understand and experience happiness and emotional well-being in early adulthood. The implications emphasize the importance of digital literacy, emotional regulation strategies, and supportive interventions to reduce the psychosocial risks of social media use.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

G. Wibowo, M. Sunuantari, I. Soraya, and I. Gunawan, “Analisis Foto Instagram Publik Figur Politik Indonesia Melalui Pendekatan Structuralism Pierre Bourdieu,” J. Media Penyiaran, vol. 4, no. 2, pp. 33–39, 2025, doi: 10.31294/jmp.v4i2.8076.

S. Bouchra and S. A. F. Zohra, “Role of Social Digital Platforms in Facilitating the Creation of Digital Educational Content -Analytical Study- Ex,” Alger. Sci. J. Platf., vol. 10, no. 01, pp. 45–74, 2025.

G. Yenilmez Kacar, “Instagram as one tool, two stages: self-presentational differences between main feed and story on Instagram,” Atl. J. Commun., vol. 32, no. 1, pp. 108–123, 2024, doi: 10.1080/15456870.2023.2202401.

R. T. Aprilia, E. N. Hayati, and N. Z. Situmorang, “Work-life Balance among Working Women : Systematic Literature Review on Its Influencing Factors,” Al Huwiyah J. Woman Child. Student, vol. 05, no. 01, pp. 01–20, 2025.

S. Kavut, “Digital Identities in The Context of Blockchain and Artificial Intelligence,” J. Selcuk Commun., vol. 14, no. 2, pp. 529–548, 2021, doi: 10.18094/josc.865641.

S. Borromeus, “The Impact of Social Media Development on Social Transformation and Self-Identity of Adolescents in The 5.0 Era: Literature Review,” PKM Int. J. Soc. Innov. Empower., vol. 01, no. 01, pp. 12–16, 2024.

L. P. Husna, Hasanatul., Mahrita., Lestari, “Tinjauan Literatur : Transformasi Teknologi Digital,” J. Pendidikan, Sos. dan Pengabdi. Masy., vol. 01, no. 01, pp. 1–7, 2024, doi: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14883609.

S. Conejo-Cerón et al., “Mediators in Psychological Treatments for Anxiety and Depression in Adolescents and Young People: A Protocol of a Systematic Review,” Front. Psychol., vol. 12, no. July, pp. 1–7, 2021, doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.708436.

E. Abi-Jaoude, K. T. Naylor, and A. Pignatiello, “Smartphones, social media use and youth mental health,” Can. Med. Assoc. J., vol. 192, no. 6, pp. E136–E141, 2020, doi: 10.1503/cmaj.190434.

I. E. Mokos, “Konstruksi Identitas Diri Remaja di Media Sosial : Analisis Konsep Dramaturgi Erving Goffman,” J. Ilmu Komun., vol. 4, no. 3, pp. 638–649, 2025, doi: 10.54259/mukasi.v4i3.4690.

Aan Setiadarma, Ahmad Zaki Abdullah, Priyono Sadjijo, and Dwi Firmansyah, “Tinjauan Literatur Transformasi Sosial dalam Era Virtual,” Khatulistiwa J. Pendidik. dan Sos. Hum., vol. 4, no. 1, pp. 232–244, 2024, doi: 10.55606/khatulistiwa.v4i1.2930.

K. Adnan, N. Setiyowati, and T. Chusniyah, “Pengaruh Self-Control terhadap Perilaku Phubbing: Peran Fear of Missing Out (FoMO) sebagai Variabel Mediator-A Systematic Literature Review The Influence of Self-Control on Phubbing Behavior: The Role of Fear of Missing Out (FoMO) as a Mediating Variable-,” J. Divers., vol. 8, no. 2, pp. 11–26, 2022, doi: 10.31289/diversita.v11i1.13724.

R. Saputra, G. N. Wala, and A. Muliawan, “Pengaruh Media Sosial dan Lingkungan terhadap Berperilaku Remaja (Study Literature Review),” J. Greenation Sos. dan Polit., vol. 1, no. 4, pp. 153–164, 2025, doi: 10.38035/jgsp.v1i4.156.

R. Al Yasin, R. R. K. A. Anjani, S. Salsabil, T. Rahmayanti, and R. Amalia, “Pengaruh Sosial Media Terhadap Kesehatan Mental Dan Fisik Remaja: a Systematic Review,” J. Kesehat. Tambusai, vol. 3, no. 2, pp. 83–90, 2022, doi: 10.31004/jkt.v3i2.4402.

M. Ridwan, S. AM, B. Ulum, and F. Muhammad, “Pentingnya Penerapan Literature Review pada Penelitian Ilmiah (The Importance Of Application Of Literature Review In Scientific Research),” J. Masohi, vol. 2, no. 1, pp. 42–51, 2021.

A. Nur and F. Y. Utami, “Proses dan Langkah Penelitian Antropologi,” Ad-Dariyah J. Dialekt. Sos. dan Budaya, vol. Vol. 3, no. No. 1, p. h. 14., 2022.

C. Amelia, “Dramaturgi dalam Media Sosial : Second Account Instagram sebagai Self-Disclosure pada Mahasiswa Muslimah,” J. Audiens, vol. 5, no. 4, 2024, doi: https://doi.org/10.18196/jas.v5i4.486.

M. K. Nur, M. Y. Yunus, and F. W. Suhaeb, “From Functional to Aesthetic : Capitalism, Consumerism, and the Formation of Social Identity in the Campus Environment-A Literature Review,” J. Artif. Intell. Digit. Bus., vol. 4, no. 3, pp. 7932–7941, 2025.

G. Safitri and A. S. Ginanjar, “Autentisitas dalam Instagram : Sebuah Systematic Literature Review,” J. Locus Penelit. dan Pengabdi, vol. 4, no. 11, pp. 10669–10685, 2025.

A. A. Salsabila and H. Nur, “Representasi Diri di Sosial Media : Antara Identitas Nyata dan Identitas Virtual,” PESHUM J. Pendidikan, Sos. dan Hum., vol. 4, no. 4, pp. 5601–5620, 2025.

A. D. Hiremawati, A. Bagus, and S. Ganesha, “The Role of Family as Mediators in the Influence of Social Media on Prosocial Behavior and Adolescent Aggression : A Systematic Review ( SLR ),” Humanitas (Monterey, N. L)., vol. 9, no. 2, pp. 209–232, 2025.

T. A. Zephania, Y. N. Letare, and A. Info, “Anti - Sharenting Selebritas: Strategi Non-Disclosure dan Etika Visibilitas Anak di Madia,” J. Lensa Mutiara Komun., vol. 9, pp. 124–139, 2025, doi: https://doi.org/10.51544/jlmk.v9i1.5958 How.

S. Kotijah, R. D. Ramadina, and V. U. Dianova, “Gambaran Konsep Diri Pengguna Media Sosial Pada Remaja : Systematic Review,” Innov. J. Soc. Sci. Res., vol. 4, no. 2, pp. 8372–8383, 2024.

M. R. Rizaldi, A. Muhid, and Z. Arif, “Penggunaan Media Sosial dan Implikasinya terhadap Kesejahteraan Psikologis: Sebuah Tinjauan Literatur,” Proc. PsychoNutrition Student Summit, vol. 01, no. 1, pp. 22–33, 2024.

D. Shinta, “Analysis of the Impact of Fear of Missing Out ( FoMO ) Behavior on Social Media Usage,” J. Healthc. Technol. Med., vol. 11, no. 1, pp. 494–503, 2025.

Q. Zhu, “The Politics of Disconnection : A Systematic Review of Politically Motivated Unfriending,” Int. J. Commun., vol. 17, pp. 5354–5377, 2023.

B. Girum, T. Zewude, and M. Hercz, “The Role of Positive Psychological Capital in the Prediction of Teachers ’ Well-being Mediated Through Motivation : A Review of Literature,” Athens J. Heal. Med. Sci., vol. 9, no. 4, pp. 245–264, 2022, doi: https://doi.org/10.30958/ajhms.9-4-4.

P. Muris, H. Otgaar, and P. Muris, “Self-Esteem and Self-Compassion : A Narrative Review and Meta-Analysis on Their Links to Psychological Problems and Well-Being Self-Esteem and Self-Compassion : A Narrative Review and Meta-Analysis on Their Links to Psychological Problems and Well-Being,” Psychol. Res. Behav. Manag. ISSN, vol. 1578, 2023, doi: 10.2147/PRBM.S402455.

A. Syandana, A. Santoso, I. W. Radityakara, and W. Yassa, “The Impact of Fear of Missing Out on Self-Confidence Among Generation Z in the Social Media Era,” J. Biol. Trop., 2025.

M. Merino, J. F. Tornero-aguilera, A. Rubio-zarapuz, C. V. Villanueva-tobaldo, A. Mart, and V. Javier, “Body Perceptions and Psychological Well-Being : A Review of the Impact of Social Media and Physical Measurements on Self-Esteem and Mental Health with a Focus on Body Image Satisfaction and Its Relationship with Cultural and Gender Factors,” Healthcare, 2024, doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12141396.

N. Rifkikah, “Analisis Tantangan dan Peluang Digitalisasi untuk Penanganan Kesehatan Mental Analysis of Challenges and Opportunities of Digitalization for Mental Health Treatment,” J. Kesehat. Nusant., vol. 1, no. 2, pp. 53–58, 2025.

M. Syakuro, S. I. Nurrohimah, R. A. Puriani, R. M. Putri, and U. Sriwijaya, “Narcissistic Personality Disorder pada Remaja dan Implikasinya dalam Bimbingan Konseling : Literature Review,” J. Learn. Teach., vol. 02, no. 3, pp. 69–75, 2025.

P. Wasserfurth, J. Palmowski, A. Hahn, and K. Krüger, “Reasons for and Consequences of Low Energy Availability in Female and Male Athletes : Social Environment, Adaptations, and Prevention,” Sport. Med., vol. 6, no. 44, 2020, doi: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40798-020-00275-6.