Doomscrolling, existential anxiety and pessimism about human nature
The study explores doomscrolling's psychological impacts, linking it to existential anxiety in Iran and the U.S., and highlights its correlation with misanthropy, emphasizing negative news consumption's role in fostering pessimism.
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This study investigates the phenomenon of doomscrolling, defined as the compulsive consumption of negative news, and its psychological impacts in two cultural contexts: Iran and the United States. The research highlights that doomscrolling is linked to increased existential anxiety among participants from both countries. It also identifies a significant correlation between doomscrolling and misanthropy specifically within the Iranian sample. The study draws on media effect theories, such as Cultivation Theory, to explain how the prevalence of negative news can shape individuals' perceptions of the world and human nature. The findings suggest that the media's focus on negative events contributes to a pessimistic worldview and existential concerns, reinforcing the idea that prolonged exposure to distressing news can lead to psychological distress. This research is notable for being the first to explore doomscrolling from an existential perspective and for examining its effects across different cultures.
- Doomscrolling is linked to existential anxiety in both Iranian and American university students.
- Misanthropy is positively associated with doomscrolling in the Iranian sample.
- The study emphasizes the role of negative news consumption in fostering pessimistic views about human nature.
- Findings support theories suggesting that media exposure to negativity can lead to psychological distress.
- This research is pioneering in its cross-cultural examination of doomscrolling's psychological effects.
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