Millennial mothers’ Instagram use and parental stress

Millennial mothers, as digital natives, effectively harness the power of social media in child rearing, covering every single aspect from A to Z. With easy accessibility and visually dominant characteristics, Instagram has become the most popular place for young mothers to find essential child-rearing tips, stay socially connected, and share stories about motherhood. While social media provides various benefits, its psychological impact on mothers may differ depending on distinct usage patterns. This study examines how different Instagram usage styles-active versus passive-affect the well-being of Korean millennial mothers. The results of this study demonstrate that active use can be beneficial to mothers as it is negatively associated with parental stress, whereas passive use shows a positive relationship with parental stress. More importantly, parental self-efficacy moderates the relationship between passive use and stress, with higher self-efficacy mitigating its negative effects. These findings highlight the nuanced role of social media in maternal well-being.