Chair of Communication Science
Curriculum vitae
Adrian Meier-Ernst’s research focuses on media uses and effects, media psychology, and interpersonal communication. Among other things, he investigates the consequences of digital communication for well-being, health, and self-regulation, especially at the work-home interface (e.g. digital stress, procrastination, digital communication when working from home). His methodological focus is on in-situ surveys, digital behavioral data, and AI-supported literature syntheses. His research received multiple awards at national and international conferences of the Communication and Media Psychology disciplines (e.g., ICA, DGPuK, DGPs), including two dissertation awards (ICA Communication & Technology, DGPuK).
Previously, Adrian Meier-Ernst was Assistant Professor at the University of Amsterdam (2020 – 2021) and Research Associate at JGU Mainz (2015 – 2020). There, he also completed his PhD (Aug. 2020, summa cum laude) and MA in Communication Science (2013 – 2015) as well as a BA in Communication and Political Science (2010 – 2013). For his studies and research, he visited Göteborgs Universitet (Sweden), the University of Wisconsin-Madison (USA), and the Weizenbaum Institute for the Networked Society (Berlin).
For further information please visit the chair’s website.
2026
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Digital disconnection as a self-regulatory strategy against procrastination
In: Scientific Reports 16 (2026), Article No.: 17133
ISSN: 2045-2322
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-026-46218-1 - , , , :
Beyond Active-Passive: Towards the Next Stage of Social Media and Mental Health Research
(2026)
DOI: 10.31234/osf.io/ydm9s
2025
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Daily Digital Balance: Disconnection From Digital Media Can Improve Situational Well-Being
75th Annual Conference of the International Communication Association (Denver, CO, 12. June 2025 - 16. June 2025) - , , :
Digital aufatmen: Positive Auswirkungen von Digital Disconnection auf das psychologische Wohlbefinden im Alltag
31st Annual Conference of the Media Uses and Effects division of the DGPuK (Bamberg, 22. January 2025 - 24. January 2025) - , , :
Disconnect to Recharge: Well-Being Benefits of Digital Disconnection in Daily Life
In: Communication Research (2025)
ISSN: 0093-6502
DOI: 10.1177/00936502251387830 - , , :
Taking a break offline: Situational associations of digital disconnection and well-being
Conference of the Society of Ambulatory Assessment (SAA) (Leuven, 26. May 2025 - 28. May 2025) - , , , :
Mind the gap: A systematic investigation of temporal dimensions in experience sampling using smartphone log data
Conference of the Society of Ambulatory Assessment (SAA) (Leuven, 26. May 2025 - 28. May 2025) - , , , :
Possible Futures All at Once: Time Frame and Time Lag in Short-Term Longitudinal Media Effects Research on Well-Being
75th Annual Conference of the International Communication Association (Denver, CO, 12. June 2025 - 16. June 2025) - , , , :
Possible futures all at once: time frame and time lag in short-term longitudinal media effects research on well-being
In: Journal of Communication (2025), Article No.: jqaf037
ISSN: 0021-9916
DOI: 10.1093/joc/jqaf037 - , , , , :
Navigation Trajectories in Smartphone App Use: Towards a Digital Disconnection Perspective
75th Annual Conference of the International Communication Association (Denver, CO, 12. June 2025 - 16. June 2025)
2024
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Too amused to stop? Self-control and the disengagement process on Netflix
In: Journal of Communication 74 (2024), p. 387-398
ISSN: 0021-9916
DOI: 10.1093/joc/jqae023 - , , :
Trapped between goal conflict and availability norm? How users' mobile messaging behavior during task engagement influences negative self-conscious emotions
In: Journal of Media Psychology 36 (2024), p. 45-57
ISSN: 1864-1105
DOI: 10.1027/1864-1105/a000381 - , , , :
Beyond screen time: Exploring effects of different smartphone use log metrics on situational well-being
30th Annual Conference of the Media Uses and Effects division of the DGPuK (Fribourg, 24. January 2024 - 26. January 2024) - , , :
Momentary Motivations for Digital Disconnection: An Experience Sampling Study
74th Annual Conference of the International Communication Association (Gold Coast, 20. June 2024 - 24. June 2024) - , , :
Momentary motivations for digital disconnection: an experience sampling study
In: Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication 29 (2024), Article No.: zmae013
ISSN: 1083-6101
DOI: 10.1093/jcmc/zmae013 - , , , :
Mechanisms linking social media use to adolescent mental health vulnerability
In: Nature Reviews Psychology (2024)
ISSN: 2731-0574
DOI: 10.1038/s44159-024-00307-y - , , , , :
Unravelling Passive Social Media Use Through Screenomes
74th Annual ICA Conference (Gold Coast, QLD, 20. June 2024 - 24. June 2024)
DOI: 10.31234/osf.io/9uywm
2023
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Social comparison on social media and mental health: A scoping review
In: M. Ziegele; A. S. Kümpel; T. Dienlin (ed.): Beiträge zur Jahrestagung der Fachgruppe Rezeptions- und Wirkungsforschung 2022, Düsseldorf: Deutsche Gesellschaft für Publizistik- und Kommunikationswissenschaft, 2023, p. 7–40
DOI: 10.21241/ssoar.87700 - , , :
Seeking Serendipity Online: Eine explorative Studie zum Suchen und Finden von Inspiration in sozialen Medien
29th Annual Conference of the Media Uses and Effects division of the DGPuK (Augsburg, 19. January 2023 - 21. January 2023) - , , , , , :
Too amused to stop? Selbstkontrolle und Unterhaltungserleben bei der Netflix-Nutzung
29th Annual Conference of the Media Uses and Effects division of the DGPuK (Augsburg, 19. January 2023 - 21. January 2023) - , , :
Gefangen zwischen Selbstkontrollversagen und Normverstoß? Die Effekte des Messaging-Verhaltens von Nutzer*innen bei der Bearbeitung von Aufgaben auf negative selbstbezogene Emotionen
29th Annual Conference of the Media Uses and Effects division of the DGPuK (Augsburg, 19. January 2023 - 21. January 2023) - , , , , , :
Digital flourishing: Conceptualizing and assessing positive perceptions of mediated social interactions
In: Journal of Happiness Studies (2023)
ISSN: 1573-7780
DOI: 10.1007/s10902-023-00619-5 - , , :
Log on, log off, repeat? Motivations and well-being effects of digital disconnection in everyday life
73rd Annual Conference of the International Communication Association (Toronto, ON, 25. May 2023 - 29. May 2023) - , , , , :
Logging media non-use? A computational assessment of digital disconnection with smartphone logging data
13th Conference of the Media Psychology Division of the DGPs (Belval, 6. September 2023 - 8. September 2023) - , :
Mindful everyday disconnection — Well-being effects of being mindfully (dis-)connected
73rd Annual Conference of the International Communication Association (Toronto, ON, 25. May 2023 - 29. May 2023) - , :
Social media and well-being at work, at home, and in-between: a review
In: J. Skopek (ed.): Research handbook on digital sociology, Edward Elgar, 2023, p. 398–418
DOI: 10.4337/9781789906769.00032
URL: https://psyarxiv.com/vurw8/ - , , , :
License to procrastinate: Is self-forgiveness for online procrastination driven by self-licensing or self-compassion?
73rd Annual Conference of the International Communication Association (Toronto, ON, 25. May 2023 - 29. May 2023) - , , , , :
Habitual social media and smartphone use are linked to task delay for some, but not all, adolescents
In: Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication 28 (2023)
ISSN: 1083-6101
DOI: 10.1093/jcmc/zmad008 - , :
Social media and mental health: Reviewing effects on eudaimonic well-being
In: R. L. Nabi; J. G. Myrick (ed.): Emotions in the digital world: Exploring affective experience and expression in online interactions, Oxford University Press, 2023, p. 215–234
DOI: 10.1093/oso/9780197520536.003.0012
2022
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Stopping media entertainment viewing: Self-control and disengagement processes on Netflix
72nd Annual Conference of the ICA (Paris, 26. May 2022 - 30. May 2022) - , :
Disconnecting from what? Digital detox effects beyond the device and application level
Digital Disconnection Studies Beyond Borders preconference of the 72nd Annual Conference of the ICA (Paris, 26. May 2022 - 30. May 2022)
(anderer) - , , :
Feeling authentic on social media: Subjective authenticity across Instagram Stories and Posts
In: Social Media + Society 8 (2022)
ISSN: 2056-3051
DOI: 10.1177/20563051221086235 - :
Studying problems, not problematic usage: Do mobile checking habits increase procrastination and decrease well-being?
In: Mobile Media and Communication 10 (2022), p. 272-293
ISSN: 2050-1579
DOI: 10.1177/20501579211029326 - , , , , :
Mobile social media habits and procrastination among adolescents: Investigating between-person, within-person, and person-specific associations
72nd Annual Conference of the ICA (Paris, 26. May 2022 - 30. May 2022) - , , , , , , :
Methodenworkshop: In-situ-Forschung in der Lehre: Inhaltliche und didaktische Konzepte für die Vermittlung situationsbezogener Forschungsmethoden
67th Annual Conference of the DGPuK (Virtual conference, 22. February 2022 - 24. February 2022) - , :
Social comparison and envy on social media: A critical review
72nd Annual Conference of the ICA (Paris, 26. April 2022 - 30. May 2022)
DOI: 10.1016/j.copsyc.2022.101302 - , :
Social comparison and envy on social media: A critical review
In: Current Opinion in Psychology 45 (2022), Article No.: 101302
ISSN: 2352-250X
DOI: 10.1016/j.copsyc.2022.101302 - , :
Does passive social media use harm well-being? An adversarial review
In: Journal of Media Psychology (2022)
ISSN: 1864-1105
DOI: 10.1027/1864-1105/a000358 - , , , , :
How and when do mobile media demands impact well-being? Explicating the Integrative Model of Mobile Media Use and Need Experiences (IM³UNE)
In: Mobile Media and Communication 10 (2022), p. 251–271
ISSN: 2050-1579
DOI: 10.1177/20501579211054928 - , , :
A longitudinal investigation of adolescents’ exposure to the positivity bias, envy, inspiration and the moderating role of social media literacy
Etmaal van de Communicatiewetenschap (Virtual conference, 10. February 2022 - 11. February 2022) - , , :
Exposure to the positivity bias and adolescents’ differential longitudinal links with social comparison, inspiration and envy depending on social media literacy
In: Current Psychology (2022)
ISSN: 1046-1310
DOI: 10.1007/s12144-022-03893-3 - , , :
Longitudinal links between the positivity bias, inspiration and envy: The role of social media literacy
72nd Annual Conference of the ICA (Paris, 26. May 2022 - 30. May 2022) - , , , :
Advancing our understanding of the associations between social media use and well-being
In: Current Opinion in Psychology 47 (2022), Article No.: 101357
ISSN: 2352-250X
DOI: 10.1016/j.copsyc.2022.101357 - , , , :
Special issue: Social media and well-being
Current Opinion in Psychology, 2022
(Current Opinion in Psychology, Vol.45)
URL: https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/current-opinion-in-psychology/special-issue/108N1L0SCGF - , , :
Social media use and its impact on adolescent mental health: An umbrella review of the evidence
In: Current Opinion in Psychology 44 (2022), p. 58-68
ISSN: 2352-250X
DOI: 10.1016/j.copsyc.2021.08.017
2021
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Permanently online—always stressed out? The effects of permanent connectedness on stress experiences
In: Human Communication Research 47 (2021), p. 132-165
ISSN: 0360-3989
DOI: 10.1093/hcr/hqaa014 - , , :
Too much or too little messaging? Situational determinants of guilt about mobile messaging
In: Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication 26 (2021), p. 72-90
ISSN: 1083-6101
DOI: 10.1093/jcmc/zmaa018 - , , , , , :
Conceptualizing and assessing digital flourishing
71st Annual Conference of the ICA (Virtual conference, 27. May 2021 - 31. May 2021) - , , , , , , , , :
The relationship between online vigilance and affective well-being in everyday life: Combining smartphone logging with experience sampling
In: Media Psychology 24 (2021), p. 581-605
ISSN: 1521-3269
DOI: 10.1080/15213269.2020.1768122 - , , :
#authentic? Differences in users’ state authenticity across Instagram stories and posts
71st Annual Conference of the ICA (Virtual conference, 27. May 2021 - 31. May 2021) - :
New media, new effects? Introducing the Technology Equivalence Approach (TEA)
12th Biannual Conference of the Media Psychology division of the DGPs (Aachen, 9. September 2021 - 10. September 2021) - , :
Debate club: “Passive social media use harms mental health and well-being!"
12th Biannual Conference of the Media Psychology division of the DGPs (Aachen, 9. September 2021 - 10. September 2021) - , :
Computer-mediated communication, social media, and mental health: A conceptual and empirical meta-review
In: Communication Research 48 (2021), p. 1182-1209
ISSN: 0093-6502
DOI: 10.1177/0093650220958224 - , :
Social media and mental health: Reviewing effects on eudaimonic well-being
71st Annual Conference of the ICA (Virtual conference, 27. May 2021 - 31. May 2021)
DOI: 10.31234/osf.io/xvts8 - , , , , :
Sharing awe: Vicarious transcendent experiences via social media
12th Biannual Conference of the Media Psychology division of the DGPs (Aachen, 9. September 2021 - 10. September 2021) - , :
Media entertainment as guilty pleasure? The appraisal of media use, self-control, and entertainment (AMUSE) model
In: P. Vorderer & C. Klimmt (ed.): The Oxford Handbook of Entertainment Theory, Oxford University Press, 2021, p. 203-230
ISBN: 9780190072216
DOI: 10.1093/oxfordhb/9780190072216.013.12 - , , , , :
How and when do mobile media demands impact well-being? Explicating the integrative model of mobile media use and need experiences (IM³UNE)
12th Biannual Conference of the Media Psychology division of the DGPs (Aachen, 9. September 2021 - 10. September 2021)
DOI: 10.31235/osf.io/e9h2s - , , , , :
How and when do mobile media demands impact well-being? Explicating the integrative model of mobile media use and need experiences (IM3UNE)
71st Annual Conference of the ICA (Virtual conference, 27. May 2021 - 31. May 2021)
DOI: 10.31235/osf.io/e9h2s
2020
- , :
“When inspiration doesn’t come to me, I go halfway to meet it” – A theoretical model of how users find inspiration on Instagram
26th Annual Conference of the Media Uses and Effects division of the DGPuK (Würzburg) - , :
Getting things done while staying connected? The effects of messenger usage on feelings of guilt
65th Annual Conference of the DGPuK (München, 10. March 2020 - 12. March 2020) - , , :
Too much or too little messaging? Situational determinants of guilt about mobile messenger usage
70th Annual Conference of the ICA (Virtual conference, 20. May 2020 - 26. May 2020) - , , :
Computer-mediated communication and mental health: A computational scoping review of an interdisciplinary field
In: S. J. Yates & R. E. Rice (ed.): The Oxford Handbook of Digital Technology and Society, Oxford University Press, 2020, p. 78-110
ISBN: 9780190932596
DOI: 10.1093/oxfordhb/9780190932596.013.4 - , , , :
Online communication and mental health: Insights and implications from three systematic literature reviews
65th Annual Conference of the DGPuK (München, 10. March 2020 - 12. March 2020) - , , , :
Instagram inspiration: How upward comparison on social network sites can contribute to well-being
In: Journal of Communication 70 (2020), p. 721-743
ISSN: 0021-9916
DOI: 10.1093/joc/jqaa025 - , , , :
Instagram inspiration: Upward comparisons can contribute to well-being
70th Annual Conference of the ICA (Virtual conference, 20. May 2020 - 26. May 2020) - , :
The appraisal of media use, self-control, and entertainment (AMUSE) model
70th Annual Conference of the ICA (Virtual conference, 20. May 2020 - 26. May 2020) - , :
Guilt and media use
In: J. Van den Bulck, D. R. Ewoldsen, M.-L. Mares, & E. Scharrer (ed.): The International Encyclopedia of Media Psychology, Wiley, 2020, p. 1-5
ISBN: 9781119011071
DOI: 10.1002/9781119011071.iemp0183 - , :
On the interplay between media entertainment and self-control: The Appraisal of Media Use, Self-Control, and Entertainment (AMUSE) Model
65th Annual Conference of the DGPuK (München, 10. March 2020 - 12. March 2020)
2019
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Just one more episode: Predictors of procrastination with television and implications for sleep quality
In: Mass Communication and Society 22 (2019), p. 654-685
ISSN: 1520-5436
DOI: 10.1080/15205436.2019.1606246 - , , , , , , :
Permanently online and always stressed out? The effects of online vigilance on digital stress experiences
69th Annual Conference of the ICA (Washington D.C.) - , , :
Trapped between self-control failure and norm violation: How user's mobile messaging behavior during task engagement influences feelings of guilt
11th Biannual Conference of the Media Psychology division of the DGPs (Chemnitz) - , , , :
Instagram Inspiration: Investigating content and channel effects on upward social comparison, envy, and inspiration from Instagram use
11th Biannual Conference of the Media Psychology division of the DGPs (Chemnitz) - , , , :
Positive effects from upward social comparison on social network sites? How Instagram usage can elicit inspiration and increase well-being
25th Annual Conference of the Media Uses and Effects division of the DGPuK (Mainz) - , , :
A license to procrastinate? Self-licensing and self-compassion as predictors of self-forgiveness for online procrastination
25th Annual Conference of the Media Uses and Effects division of the DGPuK (Mainz) - , :
Inspired by friends: Adolescents' network homophily moderates the relationship between social comparison, envy, and inspiration on Instagram
In: Cyberpsychology Behavior and Social Networking 22 (2019), p. 787-793
ISSN: 2152-2715
DOI: 10.1089/cyber.2019.0412
2018
- , , , :
Just one more episode: Predictors of procrastination with television and implications for sleep quality
68th Annual Conference of the ICA (Prague) - , , , :
The relationship between procrastinatory television viewing and sleep quality: Drivers and underlying mechanisms
Etmaal van de Communicatiewetenschap (Ghent) - , , :
At least three episodes or at least two hours? Proposal for a definition and measurement of binge watching as TV series viewing behavior
24th Annual Conference of the Media Uses and Effects division of the DGPuK (Hohenheim (Stuttgart)) - , , , , , , , , , , , , :
The big picture: Mapping a decade of research on social media use and well-being
68th Annual Conference of the ICA (Prague) - , , , , , :
Mind-wandering and mindfulness as mediators of the relationship between online vigilance and well-being
In: Cyberpsychology Behavior and Social Networking 21 (2018), p. 761-767
ISSN: 2152-2715
DOI: 10.1089/cyber.2018.0373 - :
Alles eine Frage der digitalen Autonomie? Die Rolle von Autonomie in der digitalen Kommunikation für psychologische Grundbedürfnisse und psychische Gesundheit im Alltag
In: Medien- und Kommunikationswissenschaft 66 (2018), p. 407-427
ISSN: 1615-634X
DOI: 10.5771/1615-634X-2018-4-407 - :
Digital autonomy is key? The role of autonomous online communication for need satisfaction and psychological well-being in daily life
63rd Annual Conference of the DGPuK (Mannheim) - , , , :
Computer-mediated communication, psychological well-being, and psychopathological symptoms: A computational scoping review of an interdisciplinary field
68th Annual Conference of the ICA (Prague) - , :
The relationship between computer-mediated communication and mental health—A meta-review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses
68th Annual Conference of the ICA (Prague) - , :
The positive side of social comparison on social network sites: How envy can drive inspiration on Instagram
In: Cyberpsychology Behavior and Social Networking 21 (2018), p. 411-417
ISSN: 2152-2715
DOI: 10.1089/cyber.2017.0708 - , :
The positive side of social comparison on SNS: Investigating inspiration on Instagram
68th Annual Conference of the ICA (Prague) - , , , , , , , :
Permanently online and permanently connected: Development and validation of the online vigilance scale
In: PLoS ONE 13 (2018), Article No.: e0205384
ISSN: 1932-6203
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0205384 - , , , , , , , , :
Permanently online and permanently procrastinating? The mediating role of Internet use for the effects of trait procrastination on psychological health and well-being
In: New Media & Society 20 (2018), p. 862-880
ISSN: 1461-4448
DOI: 10.1177/1461444816675437 - , , , , , , :
The relationship between trait procrastination, internet use, and psychological functioning: Results from a community sample of German adolescents
In: Frontiers in Psychology 9 (2018), Article No.: 913
ISSN: 1664-1078
DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2018.00913 - , , :
Procrastination out of habit? The role of impulsive versus reflective media selection in procrastinatory media use
In: Media Psychology 21 (2018), p. 640-668
ISSN: 1521-3269
DOI: 10.1080/15213269.2018.1476156 - , , , , :
Voicing concerns: Alternative perspectives on problematic mobile media use beyond the disease model
15th Annual Mobile Pre-Conference of the ICA (Prague)
2017
- , , :
Of sweet temptations and bitter aftertaste: Self-control as a moderator of the effects of media use on well-being
In: L. Reinecke & M. B. Oliver (ed.): The Routledge Handbook of Media Use and Well-Being: International Perspectives on Theory and Research on Positive Media Effects, Routledge, 2017, p. 211-222
ISBN: 9781315714752
DOI: 10.4324/9781315714752 - :
Neither pleasurable nor virtuous: Procrastination links smartphone habits and messenger checking behavior to decreased hedonic as well as eudaimonic well-being
67th Annual Conference of the ICA (San Diego, California) - , :
More interruptions and fewer accomplishments? How smartphone habits increase the frequency of procrastination and decrease hedonic and eudaimonic well-being in everyday life
10th Biennial Procrastination Research Conference (Chicago, Illinois) - , , :
Corrigendum to ““Facebocrastination”? Predictors of using Facebook for procrastination and its effects on students' well-being” (Computers in Human Behavior (2016) 64 (65–76) (S0747563216304411) (10.1016/j.chb.2016.06.011))
In: Computers in Human Behavior 76 (2017), p. 601
ISSN: 0747-5632
DOI: 10.1016/j.chb.2017.07.010 - , , , :
The positive side of social comparisons on SNS: How envy can drive inspiration on Instagram
10th Biennial Conference of the Media Psychology division of the DGPs (Landau) - , , , , , , , :
Permanently online and permanently connected: Development and validation of the online vigilance scale
67th Annual Conference of the ICA (San Diege, California) - , , , , , , :
Being permanently connected is a "state of mind": Development and validation of the online vigilance scale
62nd Annual Conference of the DGPuK, (Düsseldorf) - , , , , :
Permanently on and never switching off? The role of online vigilance as a source of digital stress
10th Biennial Conference of the Media Psychology division of the DGPs (Landau) - , , :
Procrastination out of habit? The role of impulsive vs. reflective media selection in procrastinatory media use
67th Annual Conference of the ICA (San Diego, California) - , , :
Reflective vs. impulsive media selection as a key predictor of procrastinatory media use
23rd Annual Conference of the Media Uses and Effects division of the DGPuK (Erfurt)
2016
- , :
Escaping to games? Escapism and procrastination as predictors of problematic computer game use among adolescents
61st Annual Conference of the DGPuK (Leizpig) - , , :
"Facebocrastination"? Predictors of using Facebook for procrastination and its effects on students’ well-being
66th Annual Conference of the ICA (Fukuoka) - , , :
Self-control failure or coping strategy? Facebook-induced strains as a consequence of procrastination and escapism
22nd Annual Conference of the Media Uses and Effects division of the DGPu (Amsterdam) - , :
“Tomorrow: @House of Cards” – (Unintended) effects of pop culture references on the perception of politicians
22nd Annual Conference of the Media Uses and Effects division of the DGPuK (Amsterdam) - , , :
Facebocrastination? Predictors of using Facebook for procrastination and its effects on students' well-being
In: Computers in Human Behavior 64 (2016), p. 65-76
ISSN: 0747-5632
DOI: 10.1016/j.chb.2016.06.011 - , , , , :
Positive conditioning via newspaper headlines reduces negative implicit stereotypes against muslims
61st Annual Conference of the DGPuK (Leipzig) - , , :
(Unintended) effects of pop culture references on the perception of politicians
66th Annual Conference of the ICA (Fukuoka) - , , , , , , , , :
Permanently online and permanently procrastinating? The mediating role of Internet use for the effects of trait procrastination on psychological well-being
66th Annual Conference of the ICA, Fukuoka (Fukuoka)