Effects of Instagram Feature Usage Patterns on Subjective Prospective Memory and Personality Traits

Abstract

As social media has become central to information acquisition and social interaction, increasing attention has been paid to how platform design and usage behaviors influence cognitive processes, particularly prospective memory. While short-form video platforms characterized by rapid context switching have been shown to impair prospective memory, empirical evidence regarding Instagram—an image-centered platform with diverse interactive features—remains limited.This study investigated Taiwanese Instagram users aged 20–40 to examine the relationships among usage behaviors, personality traits, and subjective prospective memory difficulties. Data were collected in December 2025 using a demographic questionnaire, an Instagram Usage Behavior Scale, the Prospective and Retrospective Memory Questionnaire (PRMQ), and the Big Five Inventory–10 (BFI-10). Analyses included reliability analysis, exploratory factor analysis, cluster analysis, one-way ANOVA, and Pearson correlation analysis.Results indicated that Instagram usage behaviors could be categorized into three latent factors: Public Posting, Unidirectional Browsing, and Direct Messaging, forming three user groups: Responsive Maintenance Users, Socially Engaged Users, and Information-Interactive Users. No significant differences in subjective prospective memory difficulties were observed among the usage groups. However, significant group differences emerged in extraversion and openness, with more interactive users demonstrating higher openness to experience. Additionally, frequent use of the Explore page and short-form video features was associated with higher levels of subjective memory difficulties. Correlation analysis further revealed a significant negative relationship between conscientiousness and prospective memory difficulties.Overall, the findings highlight that while general usage behavior types may not directly differentiate prospective memory performance, specific platform features and individual personality traits play a critical role in shaping users’ subjective memory experiences.

Keywords: Prospective Memory, social Media Usage Behavior, big Five Personality Traits

DOI: 10.54941/ahfe1007977