**IIM Indore Develops First Validated Scale to Measure Negative Social Media Ties**
*Indore (Madhya Pradesh):* The Indian Institute of Management Indore has developed the first validated scale designed to measure negative social media ties—online connections that lead to adverse consequences for individuals. This groundbreaking research, recently published in *Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice and Policy*, is led by IIM Indore faculty member Dr Jatin Pandey and provides a much-needed framework to assess the darker side of digital interactions and their impact on well-being.
Unlike the supportive relationships that usually dominate discussions around social networks, negative social media ties involve harmful virtual engagements such as cyberbullying, trolling, exclusion, and hostile comparisons. These toxic interactions can erode mental health, increase feelings of isolation, and lower overall life satisfaction.
With social media becoming deeply embedded in professional and organisational life, Dr Pandey’s study introduces an instrument that enables managers and policymakers to better understand, identify, and address these harmful dynamics effectively.
> “The scale was developed through a multi-stage process of item generation, expert validation, exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, and regression testing. The final instrument is an 11-item unidimensional scale that demonstrates strong psychometric properties. Its predictive validity was established by showing that individuals with better mental health report fewer negative social media ties, and that exposure to such ties significantly reduces overall life satisfaction,” said Dr Pandey.
### Implications for Managers and Organisations
The research holds significant implications for workplace environments. Negative social media ties are not confined to personal spaces; they increasingly spill into professional settings. Employees’ engagement on platforms such as LinkedIn, WhatsApp, or internal digital communities exposes them to interactions that may harm morale, productivity, and team cohesion.
If left unchecked, these adverse online experiences can result in lower workplace satisfaction, heightened stress, and diminished organisational commitment.
By employing the newly developed scale, organisations can actively assess the prevalence of negative social media ties among their workforce. The tool helps managers gauge the extent of virtual hostility employees face and identify groups or individuals more vulnerable to such experiences.
Armed with this knowledge, firms can design targeted interventions including digital well-being programmes, online conduct training, counselling, and support systems to reduce the psychological burden caused by harmful online interactions.
### Strengthening Organisational Policies
The scale also offers valuable insights for leadership looking to strengthen organisational policies regarding social media use. With the rise of remote work and digital collaboration, the boundaries between professional and personal online networks have blurred.
Managers can leverage findings from the scale to craft guidelines that encourage constructive online engagement, mitigate conflicts, and foster healthier digital communication environments. Thus, this study not only enriches academic literature but provides actionable strategies to enhance workplace well-being and resilience.
### Broader Impact: Corporate Responsibility and Employer Branding
Beyond internal management, the findings have implications for corporate social responsibility and employer branding. Organisations that proactively address the challenges posed by negative online ties can position themselves as forward-looking, employee-centric employers.
Such a stance can improve employee retention, attract top talent, and build a strong reputation for prioritising both performance and holistic employee welfare.
> “In a landscape where social media increasingly shapes organisational dynamics, this study provides managers with a diagnostic tool to anticipate risks, foster supportive networks, and design evidence-based policies. The scale is thus not merely an academic contribution but a practical resource for organisations navigating the complexities of digital communication,” added Dr Pandey.
This pioneering research marks an important step towards understanding and mitigating the risks of negative social media interactions in both personal and professional spheres.
https://www.freepressjournal.in/indore/iim-indore-develops-scale-to-measure-negative-social-media-ties