Creating and Sharing Love and Kindness: Emotional Implications of Collaboration With Digital Media

• In Event: Sharing and Finding Meanings on Digital Media

Abstract

Growing research on positive media demonstrates that consuming inspiring media content can result in feelings of elevation, feelings of connectedness with others, and heightened motivations for altruistic behaviors. The present research extends this line of inquiry to examine how affordances in emerging technologies contribute to these outcomes. This study examined the association of sharing inspiring user-generated content (photographs) with affective elevation and connectedness. Results show that self-reported elevation and connectedness were highest among participants who opted to share their inspiring photographs. Sharing of non-inspiring photographs was unrelated to feelings of elevation. These findings are discussed in the context of how affordances of emerging technologies may be particularly relevant for harnessing media for purposes of social good and well-being.

Authors

• Mary Beth Oliver, Pennsylvania State U

• Maria Dolores Molina Davila, The Penn State University

• Jessica Gall Myrick, Pennsylvania State U

• Carlina DiRusso, Pennsylvania State U

• Yiting Chai, Pennsylvania State U

• Sarah Ford, Pennsylvania State U