Why is posting pics of themselves, or their food, or their pets so important? According to researchers at the University of Sydney in Australia, the answer is pretty simple. What motivates people to use Instagram, especially those who use Instagram frequently, is a desire to belong.
"Desire to Belong Affects Instagram Behavior and Perceived Social Support" was coauthored by Dorothy Wong, Krestina Amon, and Melanie Keep, University of Sydney (Australia). The researchers found that a desire to belong was a significant positive predictor of more frequent Instagram use and perceived social support in general and from friends and significant others. However, frequency of Instagram use did not predict perceived social support, and therefore it did not mediate the relationship between motivation and social support.