This study aims to investigate how the intensity of self-presentation on SNS affects anxiety associated with social rejection, fear of pain, and pain perception. Understanding these associations is important for managing pain in patients with potential psychological issues.
This cross-sectional study involved 55 healthy adult university students aged ≥18 years (29 females, mean age of 20 ± 2.31 years). Participants completed several questionnaires, including the Internet Addiction Test (IAT), the Fear of Pain Questionnaire (FPQ-Ⅲ), the Interpersonal Sensitivity Measure (IPSM), and the Self-Presentation on Facebook Scale for SNS (SPFBQ). Electrical stimulation was administered through Ag-CI electrodes on the left forearm to measure pain perception and tolerance thresholds following the completion of the questionnaires. Correlation coefficients were first investigated to explore the associations among SNS self-presentation, anxiety related to rejection, fear of pain, and pain perception. Two path analyses were then conducted to evaluate these associations, with p-values of 0.05 indicating a significance level.
Correlational analysis revealed significant associations between IAT and SPFBQ (r = 0.51) and between IPSM and SPFBQ (r = 0.29). Additionally, a correlation between IPSM and FPQS (r = 0.38) was observed. However, no significant correlation was found between FPQS and pain perception threshold (p = 0.06) or pain tolerance threshold (p = 0.41). Path analysis indicated that SNS self-presentation significantly affected anxiety related to rejection (β = 0.473, p = 0.003), and anxiety related to rejection had a significant direct effect on fear of pain (β = 0.527, p = 0.007). While SNS self-presentation did not have a significant direct effect on fear of pain (β = 0.113, p = 0.655), the indirect effect of SNS self-presentation on fear of pain through anxiety related to rejection was significant (indirect effect = 0.249, p = 0.048). Although the total effect of SNS self-presentation on fear of pain was not statistically significant (total effect = 0.362, p = 0.147), the results highlight that anxiety related to rejection mediates the relationship between SNS self-presentation and fear of pain.
The results indicate that individuals engaged in stronger self-presentation on SNS appear to experience heightened anxiety concerning rejection, which may contribute to an increased fear of pain. This correlation highlights the need for integrating mental health considerations into pain management strategies.
The results highlight the importance of addressing the psychological effects of SNS dependent on pain perception and mental health. Physical therapists should be aware of the potential influence of SNS-related anxiety on pain management. Future research should aim to expand the sample size and investigate these associations in diverse populations, including clinical patients.
Social rejection
Pain
