Looking perfect: Instagram use in a Kuwaiti cultural context

ABSTRACT

This study surveys 539 Arab university students to examine gender motivational differences in Instagram use, exploring the Self-Perfectionist Personality concept and usage activities that best predict a Self-Presentation motive on Instagram. While both genders utilized Instagram mainly for Entertainment, they varied on the priority of other motives. Females were less likely to have public accounts, post personal pictures, and disclose personal information. Also, self-perfectionists of both genders excessively edited their personal pictures before posting them and were more likely to use Instagram for Self-Presentation. Outcomes are discussed in the light of the influences of culture and gender roles in Kuwait.

KEYWORDS:

• Uses and Gratifications
• self-perfectionist personality
• Instagram
• self-presentation
• gender

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.