Couples Who Post Selfies Are 128% Less Happy, a Study Reveals

It’s hard not to feel overwhelmed when you scroll through your social media feed, only to be bombarded by picture-perfect couples. Well, it turns out, behind those smiles might lie a different story. A recent study has revealed that those who flood your timeline with three or more couple selfies per week might not be as happy as they appear. In fact, they could be a whopping 128 percent unhappier than couples who keep their affection more low-key.

Happy couples are more discreet.

A new survey uncovered curious details about couples and their social media habits. The researchers surveyed 2,000 couples aged 18 to 50 to understand how they use social media and how happy they feel. What they found was surprising: Couples who regularly post three or more selfies per week might not be as happy as you’d think. In fact, they’re supposedly 128 percent less happy than those who keep a lower profile online.

Turns out, only 10 percent of these selfie-obsessed couples said they were «very happy.» On the flip side, a whopping 46 percent of couples who don’t share as much on social media reported feeling much happier.

It’s all about the trust.

The research indicates that trust issues might be driving unhappy couples to share more on social media. The main reason couples share their relationship status online is to show they are taken. However, what you see online doesn’t capture what happens before or after the photo is taken. You’re not witnessing the arguments that might have occurred just before the photo, nor the lingering relationship insecurities such as jealousy and trust issues.

Many people tend to showcase only the positive aspects of their relationship online, giving others the impression that everything is perfect. However, there could be hidden issues that they keep private.

Older generations post more on social media.

Older millennials tend to share more public displays of affection selfies compared to Gen-Z. Interestingly, Generation X, born between 1965 and 1980, shows even higher engagement with social media than Millennials. Studies indicate that they spend an extra 40 minutes per week on social platforms. This suggests a shifting trend in social media behavior across different age groups.

Couples share selfies for different reasons.

Regularly sharing on social media, especially couple selfies, might show a need for validation and attention. Unhappy couples might post more often to make up for dissatisfaction in their relationship.

Seeing happy moments of other couples online could lead to jealousy and feeling inadequate. Comparing one’s relationship to idealized representations of others could make dissatisfaction worse. Spending too much time on social media might reduce meaningful face-to-face interactions, leading to feelings of disconnection and neglect.

Couples feel pressure to portray perfection.

Striving for perfection, whether in job interviews or on social media, can harm mental health, especially in young people and selfie-taking couples. Unrealistic expectations about looks, possessions, and achievements can cause anxiety. This pursuit of perfection not only affects mental health but also impacts physical well-being, as studies have shown.

Perfectionism is linked to issues like depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and declining health. Accepting imperfections and learning from errors are vital for growing personally and as a couple, as perfection is impossible to achieve.

Every time you share something on social media, whether it’s a couple selfie or a regular picture, you can face criticism. And no one knows this better than celebrities. When Kylie Jenner shared a random picture with her daughter, she couldn’t even expect that some followers would call her a bad mom for something as innocent as piercing her daughter’s ears.