The effect of social grooming via live photo-sharing on well-being: the mediating role of social capital and moderating role of the need for privacy
BackgroundDigital citizens in the social media era can share various types of photos. Live photo features on closed platforms, such as WeChat Moments, offer users a vivid sense of presence. However, the spontaneous nature of live photos may unintentionally reveal audio or visual details, raising pri...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Psychology |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1627455/full |
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| author | Fei Wang Xin Wang |
| author_facet | Fei Wang Xin Wang |
| author_sort | Fei Wang |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | BackgroundDigital citizens in the social media era can share various types of photos. Live photo features on closed platforms, such as WeChat Moments, offer users a vivid sense of presence. However, the spontaneous nature of live photos may unintentionally reveal audio or visual details, raising privacy concerns. Previous research has not fully explored why users share live photos despite these risks, nor how live photo sharing affects users’ well-being from a social grooming perspective.MethodsWe surveyed 266 users of WeChat Moments and analyzed the data using a moderated mediation model. Social capital was tested as a mediator between live photo-based social grooming and well-being, with the need for privacy as a moderator.ResultsSocial grooming through live photo sharing was positively associated with users’ well-being, and this association was mediated by social capital. Additionally, the strength of this positive association varied depending on users’ need for privacy. Specifically, a higher need for privacy was associated with a weaker relationship between social grooming and well-being, indicating that privacy concerns might constrain the potential benefits of social grooming.ConclusionSocial grooming via live photo sharing is associated with enhanced well-being through social capital, but the strength of this association depends on users’ need for privacy. To better balance social grooming and privacy protection, platforms and users should consider adopting flexible, user-controlled visibility settings. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-3de8febbf50246f6a242c565c0d3d24d |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 1664-1078 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Psychology |
| spelling | doaj-art-3de8febbf50246f6a242c565c0d3d24d2025-08-20T03:17:48ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Psychology1664-10782025-07-011610.3389/fpsyg.2025.16274551627455The effect of social grooming via live photo-sharing on well-being: the mediating role of social capital and moderating role of the need for privacyFei Wang0Xin Wang1School of Journalism and Communication, China West Normal University, Nanchong, ChinaSchool of Journalism and Communication, Chongqing University, Chongqing, ChinaBackgroundDigital citizens in the social media era can share various types of photos. Live photo features on closed platforms, such as WeChat Moments, offer users a vivid sense of presence. However, the spontaneous nature of live photos may unintentionally reveal audio or visual details, raising privacy concerns. Previous research has not fully explored why users share live photos despite these risks, nor how live photo sharing affects users’ well-being from a social grooming perspective.MethodsWe surveyed 266 users of WeChat Moments and analyzed the data using a moderated mediation model. Social capital was tested as a mediator between live photo-based social grooming and well-being, with the need for privacy as a moderator.ResultsSocial grooming through live photo sharing was positively associated with users’ well-being, and this association was mediated by social capital. Additionally, the strength of this positive association varied depending on users’ need for privacy. Specifically, a higher need for privacy was associated with a weaker relationship between social grooming and well-being, indicating that privacy concerns might constrain the potential benefits of social grooming.ConclusionSocial grooming via live photo sharing is associated with enhanced well-being through social capital, but the strength of this association depends on users’ need for privacy. To better balance social grooming and privacy protection, platforms and users should consider adopting flexible, user-controlled visibility settings.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1627455/fullwell-beingsocial groominglive photossocial capitalneed for privacy |
| spellingShingle | Fei Wang Xin Wang The effect of social grooming via live photo-sharing on well-being: the mediating role of social capital and moderating role of the need for privacy Frontiers in Psychology well-being social grooming live photos social capital need for privacy |
| title | The effect of social grooming via live photo-sharing on well-being: the mediating role of social capital and moderating role of the need for privacy |
| title_full | The effect of social grooming via live photo-sharing on well-being: the mediating role of social capital and moderating role of the need for privacy |
| title_fullStr | The effect of social grooming via live photo-sharing on well-being: the mediating role of social capital and moderating role of the need for privacy |
| title_full_unstemmed | The effect of social grooming via live photo-sharing on well-being: the mediating role of social capital and moderating role of the need for privacy |
| title_short | The effect of social grooming via live photo-sharing on well-being: the mediating role of social capital and moderating role of the need for privacy |
| title_sort | effect of social grooming via live photo sharing on well being the mediating role of social capital and moderating role of the need for privacy |
| topic | well-being social grooming live photos social capital need for privacy |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1627455/full |
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