Grant-Funded Research
During the 2024-25 academic year,
Hofstra University was one of three institutions to receive funding to conduct a research project titled, “Share, Like And Subscribe: The Impact Of Social Media Use On Student-Athletes' Identity And Sense Of Belonging On And Off The Team,” through the
NCAA Innovations in Research and Practice Grant Program. The research team included associate director of athletics for mental health services, Rebecca Bertuccio, Ph.D., NCSP, LP (project director); Title IX coordinator for student issues and director of student wellness education, Brittany Rhoden, MSEd, MSc; and associate director of wellness education, Grace Landrigan, MPH.
The purpose of the research project was to develop and deliver an educational intervention called,
(re)Framing Identity, Belonging, Engagement, and Relationships, otherwise referred to as “
(re)FIBER,” to student-athletes to raise awareness about social media habits, identity development, social connectedness, and sense of belonging. A mixed-method approach was employed such that both quantitative and qualitative research findings were produced.
The
(re)FIBER intervention is a six-session educational program designed to address three overarching areas including, (1) Building Healthy Habits, (2) In-Person Interactions: Getting Connected, and (3) Reflection and Application. The session titles are listed below:
Session 1: Social Media Use: Building Healthy Relationships
Session 2: Your Identity on Social Media
Session 3: Your Real-World Relationships
Session 4: Mapping Your Belonging
Session 5: Reflection and Application: Your Real-World Identity
Session 6: Reflection and Application: Goal-Setting for Future
Findings
The statistically significant findings from the research study were twofold: the
(re)FIBER intervention decreased participants’ self-reported social media addiction scores and increased self-reported feelings of social connectedness. Thematic analyses revealed that participants enjoyed the intervention content, activities, and structure, and most appreciated the opportunity to bond with other student-athletes in a safe environment that allowed them to share with one another openly as they engaged in self-exploration. Two months following participation in the
(re)FIBER intervention, participants identified a variety of positive changes in their behaviors including, more purposeful social media use, intentional relationship building, self-awareness, and authenticity.
Resources
The
(re)FIBER intervention was created for student-athletes but can be modified for implementation with other unique college subpopulations. As the findings from the research study have valuable implications for campus-level programming, the research team has made the
(re)FIBER intervention free and available for future use. Can you change the last sentence to read: If you are interested in delivering the intervention at your institution or would like access to the intervention materials, please complete the following form:
(re)FIBER Intervention Materials Request Form.
The research team can be reached via email at
reFIBER@hofstra.edu.
