Lessons in Mental Resilience from the Autistic Community “`
Social media’s constant stream of seemingly perfect lives—vacations, careers, families—often triggers negative social comparisons, making us feel inadequate. This is particularly true for young people, where social media use correlates with decreased well-being and increased envy. Some experts even link this to a youth mental health crisis, advocating for significant changes.
However, social media offers benefits too. The question remains: how can we mitigate its negative mental health impact?
Our research on autistic individuals offers clues. Their unique social processing may provide insights for everyone.
A study published in Social Cognition (August 2024) compared envy levels in autistic and neurotypical individuals after reading about a highly successful peer. Autistic participants reported 24% less envy on average.
Why this difference?
One explanation lies in the social cognitive differences in autism. Difficulties with social communication and understanding others’ intentions may reduce their tendency to engage in perspective-taking, impacting their reactions to social comparisons.
Research suggests that envy involves imagining others’ happiness. Studies of brain activity indicate that autistic individuals may rely less on mental state information (which is unobservable and abstract), and more on tangible details when processing social interactions. This could explain their reduced negative response to social comparisons.
Further research using a monetary reward game confirmed this. Neurotypical participants’ satisfaction was significantly affected by social comparison; autistic participants were less influenced.
What does this mean for us?
While avoiding social media comparisons is difficult, our response is not fixed. Focusing inward—a strength for many autistic individuals—can lessen negative feelings. Practices like gratitude journaling or pursuing hobbies can help.
Social media comparisons, while potentially leading to envy, can also inspire self-improvement and goal setting. Studies show that while Instagram can trigger envy, it also motivates.
Despite the “grass is greener” feeling, cultivating a self-improvement mindset and nurturing personal growth is crucial for managing our emotional responses to social media.