Zwei Vorträge von Astrid Jansen und Jens Vogelgesang auf der 14. Jahreskonferenz der Fachgruppe Medienpsychologie der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Psychologie (DGPs)  [01.09.25]

Mind over mattress: Do app mindsets explain discrepancies between subjective and objective sleep outcomes?
Astrid Jansen, Julius Klingelhoefer, Jens Vogelgesang

Abstract

The prevalence of smartphone use has sparked public concerns about its effects on sleep. While a substantial body of research suggests negative impacts, current longitudinal studies and studies utilizing tracking data do not replicate the results of earlier cross-sectional and self-report studies. This inconsistency may stem from differences in the constructs assessed, particularly the distinction between within-person and between-person effects, and measures that consider content beyond screen time.

With this study, we aim to address concerns about self-reports, such as recall and common method bias, by supplementing self-reports with tracking data to investigate the effects of prolonged in-bed use of social media, messaging, and video apps on both subjective and objective sleep outcomes. Because research indicates that subjective assessments of sleep can be profoundly affected by individuals' attitudes and beliefs about media use, we further hypothesize that the effects on subjective outcomes will be mediated by daily reappraisal. For instance, social media mindsets can shape user experiences and overall well-being, with concerns about smartphone’s harmful effects on sleep amplifying these beliefs. Similar mechanisms have been identified in sleep research, where positive attitudes toward sleep correlated with better sleep outcomes. Considering current research highlights mostly between-person effects, we further predict that negative mindsets toward smartphone use will be associated with increased negative daily reappraisal, and we will investigate whether these mindsets can explain discrepancies between subjective and objective sleep outcomes.

To test our hypotheses, we conducted a two-week daily diary study (pre-registration: https://osf.io/6qjtd/?view_only=3c87cc1777464b94b8a207e44d804f4b) with 90 participants. Daily questionnaires measured self-reported sleep parameters, smartphone use reappraisal, mood and stress and were supplemented by smartphone and Fitbit tracking data. Overall, the study extends prior research by employing a longitudinal design, combining self-reports with objective data, and assessing the role of mindsets in the psychological process that may link mobile media use to sleep.

A Theoretical and Methodological Framework for Analyzing Processes in Communication Research
Jens Vogelgesang & Hannah Früh

Abstract

Processes are central to all scientific disciplines, though their conceptualization and measurement vary. Generally, a process is a sequence of states evolving over time. In social sciences, most processes exhibit stochastic regularities, with exceptions like Engel’s and Hick’s Laws. In media psychology, a process perspective aids research on entertainment, mood management, suspense, affect, and knowledge acquisition. Despite methodological advancements, measuring processes with rigor — particularly regarding validity — remains challenging. While modern AI-based techniques became a strong driver of automatic statistical model identification, purely inductive approaches are insufficient, especially for causal hypotheses. This paper introduces the concept of the Data Generating Process (DGP) and illustrates how DGP-based thinking supports a systematic approach to process modeling. The proposed DGP framework, tailored for applied researchers, is rooted in Karl Popper’s hypothetico-deductive methodology.

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