JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

The rise of social media has transformed how individuals express identity, enabling highly curated online personas. While curation fosters creativity and connection, emerging research suggests it may also contribute to dissociative symptoms such as depersonalization, derealization, and identity fragmentation, particularly among vulnerable adolescents and young adults. Despite increasing concern, the relationship between curated digital identity and dissociation remains underexplored.

Objective:

This narrative review aimed to examine the association between curated online identity and dissociative symptoms. Specifically, we sought to synthesize psychological theories and empirical findings that explain how digital self-curation may destabilize self-concept and increase risk for dissociation.

Methods:

A comprehensive literature search was conducted across PubMed, PsycINFO, and Google Scholar for articles published between 2010 and 2024. Studies were included if they addressed curated identity construction on social media in relation to dissociation, identity fragmentation, or self-concept disruption. The review integrated evidence from psychiatry, social psychology, and media studies, with findings organized thematically.

Results:

Three major themes emerged: (1) Identity fragmentation through hyper-curation, where managing multiple online personas fosters disconnection from the embodied self; (2) Chronic comparison and self-discrepancy, in which exposure to idealized digital selves and reliance on algorithmic validation contribute to emotional numbing and detachment; and (3) Algorithmic reinforcement of idealized personas, which perpetuates perfectionism, escapism, and loss of agency, particularly among individuals with trauma histories, perfectionistic traits, or low self-concept clarity. These themes align with established models of dissociation, including self-discrepancy and identity-based frameworks.

Conclusions:

Curated online identities may undermine identity stability and contribute to dissociative symptoms in vulnerable individuals, especially adolescents. While social media does not directly cause dissociation, its feedback-driven environments may exacerbate underlying vulnerabilities. These findings highlight the need for clinicians to assess online identity behaviors in psychosocial evaluations, and for public health educators to incorporate digital literacy into prevention strategies. Further interdisciplinary and cross-cultural research is warranted to clarify causal pathways and inform interventions.