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Psychology of Popular Media

Psychology of Popular Media

Outgoing Editor: Karen Shackleford, PhD
ISSN 2689-6567
eISSN 2689-6575
Open access offered
Published quarterly, beginning in January
Impact factor 2.2
5-year impact factor 3.0
Communication 69 of 227
Psychology - Multidisciplinary 77 of 222

Psychology of Popular Media® is a peer-reviewed scholarly journal dedicated to publishing empirical, theory-driven research that examines the psychological experiences of human interaction with popular media. The journal welcomes research that examines ubiquitous and socially influential media in all of its forms, including social media, games, apps, and fictional narratives (e.g., film, television, books), with a particular interest in research examining socially relevant, culturally embedded, and emerging media phenomena.

Psychology of Popular Media reports cutting-edge research that illuminates the mechanisms underlying media use and media effects. The journal publishes both quantitative and qualitative empirical research as well as reviews, meta-analyses, and replications that contribute significantly to the field.

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Call for submissions

Psychology of Popular Media welcomes submissions that align with its submission guidelines.

Calls for papers

Most cited

published in the last 5 years

Are there two types of escapism? Exploring a dualistic model of escapism in digital gaming and online streaming.

Stenseng, Frode; Falch-Madsen, Jonas; Hygen, Beate Wold

The impact of fitspiration content on body satisfaction and negative mood: An experimental study.

Rounds, Emilia G.; Stutts, Lauren A.

Alone and online: Understanding the relationships between social media, solitude, and psychological adjustment.

Thomas, Virginia; Balzer Carr, Brandon; Azmitia, Margarita; Whittaker, Steve

Coping with COVID-19 stress: The role of media consumption in emotion- and problem-focused coping.

Nabi, Robin L.; Wolfers, Lara N.; Walter, Nathan; Qi, Li

A closer look at appearance and social media: Measuring activity, self-presentation, and social comparison and their associations with emotional adjustment.

Zimmer-Gembeck, Melanie J.; Hawes, Tanya; Pariz, Juliane

Most downloaded

published in the last 5 years

Online appearance preoccupation in and beyond adolescence: A longitudinal study of social media use, anxiety, and depression as correlates of growth and stability.

Zimmer-Gembeck, Melanie J.; Seekis, Veya; Duffy, Amanda L.

Limiting social media use decreases depression, anxiety, and fear of missing out in youth with emotional distress: A randomized controlled trial.

Davis, Christopher G.; Goldfield, Gary S.

Social media addiction moderates links between perceptions of freedom and mental health in the United States and Germany.

Bunker, Cameron J.; Margraf, Jürgen; Brailovskaia, Julia

From filters to body positivity: Opposing social media messages and adolescent body image.

Trekels, Jolien

The impact of social media aesthetic capital on adolescent body image: Microinfluencer and expert perspectives on social success and digital pressures.

Feijoo, Beatriz; Vizcaíno-Verdú, Arantxa

Psychology of Popular Media in the spotlight

A woman holds a smartphone displaying a dating app profile with a man shown on the screen, while her finger taps the heart icon to signal interest.

Stories, not shopping lists: Narrative dating profiles draw more interest

Telling the story of your life creates empathy, connection with potential dates
Press Release

Shared positive emotions, stress relief, experiencing awe, and more scientific findings

Summaries of research from psychology and related fields
Research in Brief

Rebecca Tukachinsky Forster, PhD, Psychology of Popular Media

Psychology of Popular Media plans to expand the journal’s influence across both psychology and communication
Editor Spotlight

Short inspirational videos as effective as meditation at reducing stress

Watching short inspirational videos can reduce stress and boost hope as effectively as meditation, according to new APA research highlighting the potential of uplifting media as a simple tool for improving mental well-being.
Press Release

“This Is (Not) Fine”: The Psychology of Popular Media During 2020 Crises

Special issue of the APA journal Psychology of Popular Media, Vol. 11, No. 3, July 2022. The articles shed light on the role of entertainment media in emotional regulation processes, psychological need fulfillment, social connection, diversion, parenting, and even activism.
Psychology of Popular Media Culture

Virtual Media Psychology Symposium 2020

Popular Media’s Role in a World on Fire: Panel Discussion with the Editors of the APA Journal Psychology of Popular Media
YouTube
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Journal guidelines

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Types of papers accepted and editorial requirements, including equity, diversity, and inclusion efforts and author contribution statements using CRediT
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