The toll of the scroll: A path toward burnout

Athletes report using social networking sites, including Instagram, to manage their self-presentations. While on Instagram, they may browse content and interact with others, enabling them to socially compare themselves to other athletes. Less favorable comparisons may contribute to higher burnout perceptions. The purpose of the current study was to (a) examine if the use of Instagram contributed to burnout perceptions and (b) if type of use and social comparison mediated these relationships. Male and female collegiate athletes (N = 162) completed measures of Instagram usage, social comparison, and burnout during their sport season. Latent path analysis using robust maximum likelihood estimation was used to examine the model. Daily time spent on Instagram was directly associated with exhaustion (β = -0.32) and reduced accomplishment (β = -0.21). Browsing was directly associated with exhaustion (β = 0.39), reduced accomplishment (β = 0.38), and sport devaluation (β = 0.27). Interacting was directly associated with devaluation (β = -0.23). Social comparison while using Instagram was directly associated with reduced accomplishment (β = -0.35) and devaluation (β = -0.34). Browsing mediated the relationship between time spent on Instagram and exhaustion (β = 0.13) and reduced accomplishment (β = 0.13). Social comparison was not a mediator. Results suggest that scrolling through posts on Instagram explains why time spent on the platform contributes to burnout perceptions. Comparing oneself favorably to others while using Instagram, independent of time spent on Instagram as well as type of use, may reduce burnout while comparing oneself unfavorably may enhance burnout perceptions.