Volume 26 Num. 3 - October 2026
The Role of Behavioral Inhibition and Activation Systems in Instagram Usage Patterns and Addiction
Volume 26 Num. 3 - October 2026 - Pages 427-438
Authors:
Amith Mohanan , Shubhdip Kaur , Jasmeen Kaur , Sukriti Mahaja
Abstract:
Instagram use significantly shapes contemporary social interaction and psychological functioning. The pervasive use of Instagram affects social interaction, deeply influencing users’ daily routines and psychological functioning. This study explores how individual differences in the Behavioral Inhibition System (BIS) and the Behavioral Activation System (BAS) predict distinct Instagram usage patterns and addiction. Survey data from 600 active student users on Instagram were analyzed. The outcome measures encompassed six usage dimensions: Loss of Control, Anxious Posting, Passive Use, Social Approval, Feelings of Discomfort, Self-Deprecating Comparison, and addiction levels related to feeds and stories. Results showed that BIS emerged as a robust, universal predictor for all usage patterns and addiction types. In contrast, BAS only predicted Loss of Control, Passive Use, and Social Approval. Usage patterns explicitly tied to negative emotionality -Anxious Posting, Feelings of Discomfort, and Self-Deprecating Comparison- were uniquely driven by BIS. Individuals characterized by high BIS sensitivity exhibit greater vulnerability to unhealthy platform engagement and addiction, emphasizing the role of avoidance-motivated personality traits in digital behavior.
How to cite this paper:
Mohanan A, Kaur S, Kaur J, & Mahajan S (2026). The Role of Behavioral Inhibition and Activation Systems in Instagram Usage Patterns and Addiction. International Journal of Psychology & Psychological Therapy, 26, 3, 427-438.
Key words:
behavioral activation system, behavioral inhibition system, Instagram usage patterns, Instagram addiction.
Full Article
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- [371-382] Efficacy of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in Suicidal Ideation: A Systematic Review
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- [397-414] Combining Working Memory Training and Parental Interventions in Children and Adolescents with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: A Narrative Review
- [415-426] Problematic Use of Short-form Video Platforms, Emotion Regulation, and Self-Esteem
