Harbrow, Kristie (2022) Instagrammability: How Taking Photos to Document a Holiday, with the Intent to Post, Impacts the Holiday Experience and Interpersonal Relationships. Honours thesis, University of Southern Queensland. (Unpublished)
Abstract
The existing evidence around photo-taking and social media use as a distraction and the subsequent effects of these behaviours on interpersonal relationships is contradictory. These findings, along with the ubiquity of photo-taking and smartphone use on holiday, make this a compelling area of research. This qualitative study aimed to explore the experiences of individuals who take photographs on holidays, with the intent to post to Instagram, while exploring the effects that photo-taking and smartphone use has on individuals’ interpersonal relationships. Semi-structured, digitally recorded interviews were conducted utilising photo elicitation amongst five women and two men (aged 29-43 years) who had taken holiday photos with the intent to post to Instagram. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis with two main findings: (1) so much pressure to have the perfect grid, and (2) we work as a team. The findings indicated that individuals experienced selfpresentational concerns when photo-taking was intended for Instagram, which decreased the enjoyment of the holiday experience. Despite this, photo-taking and social media use was found to strengthen interpersonal relationships, aiding social connection through the shared experience. This research provides practical implications for avoiding negative social consequences with a travel companion using intervention strategies such as vicarious interest and gaining clarity around a partner's interest. Such interventions allowed for increased traveller satisfaction for participants. Additionally, findings suggest that by Increasing self-awareness of one's smartphone use, positive engagement and enjoyment of the shared travel experience can be supported.
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| Item Type: | Thesis (Non-Research) (Honours) |
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| Item Status: | Live Archive |
| Additional Information: | Current UniSQ staff and students can request access to this thesis. Please email research.repository@unisq.edu.au with a subject line of SEAR thesis request and provide: Name of the thesis requested and Your name and UniSQ email address |
| Faculty/School / Institute/Centre: | Current – Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences - School of Psychology and Wellbeing (1 Jan 2022 -) |
| Supervisors: | Susan Abel |
| Qualification: | Bachelor of Science (Honours) |
| Date Deposited: | 30 May 2025 01:40 |
| Last Modified: | 30 May 2025 01:40 |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | photography; social networking; need to belong; self-presentation; thematic analysis |
| Fields of Research (2008): | 17 Psychology and Cognitive Sciences > 1799 Other Psychology and Cognitive Sciences > 179999 Psychology and Cognitive Sciences not elsewhere classified |
| Fields of Research (2020): | 52 PSYCHOLOGY > 5299 Other psychology > 529999 Other psychology not elsewhere classified |
| URI: | https://sear.unisq.edu.au/id/eprint/52383 |
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