Unilever Research Award 2022 for research on effects of social media use on wellbeing
Social psychologist Roxy Yuyao Zhang has won one of the 2022 Unilever Research Awards for her master’s thesis about reciprocal relationship between social media use and wellbeing before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. This prize is awarded every year to outstanding young scientists who’s master thesis makes a positive contribution to one or more of the Sustainable Development Goals.
Social media have become a crucial part of the modern life. They transformed the way we communicate with each other, how we look for romantic partners, stay in touch with friends and colleagues, search for jobs and keep everyone updated about life events and changes. Social media have become particularly important in the last couple of years where the usual ways of communication were restricted by the COVID-19 regulations. The ubiquity of social media makes it particularly important to understand what consequences they have for people’s psychological well-being.
Roxy’s findings revealed changes from a negative reciprocal relationship between general social media use and well-being before the pandemic to a positive relationship during the pandemic at the within-individual level.
Roxy graduated with an impressive thesis that received excellent evaluations from her supervisors. Her research was based on a large panel dataset and she displayed very advances statistical techniques, as well as exceptional work ethics, independence and initiative. For all this, Tilburg University had proudly nominated her for this prize and we feel she is a deserved winner.
Roxy received the award at the 66th Unilever Research Awards ceremony.