Exploring Mental Health Risk Factors Among Digital Content Creators
Keywords:
Digital content creators, mental health, occupational stress, social media platformsAbstract
This study aimed to explore the mental health risk factors experienced by digital content creators, focusing on their occupational, emotional, and social challenges in the context of Tehran, Iran. This qualitative research employed semi-structured interviews with 21 digital content creators residing in Tehran. Participants were selected through purposive sampling and included individuals with at least one year of content creation experience on platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. Interviews were conducted until theoretical saturation was achieved. Data were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using thematic analysis, following Braun and Clarke’s framework. NVivo software was used to assist in coding and theme development. Thematic analysis revealed four major categories of mental health risk factors: occupational stressors, emotional and psychological impact, social and interpersonal challenges, and platform and audience dynamics. Occupational stressors included algorithmic uncertainty, income instability, and burnout. Emotional risks manifested as anxiety, low self-worth, mood fluctuations, and imposter syndrome. Social challenges involved disrupted personal relationships, isolation, and identity conflict. Platform-specific pressures such as audience expectations, content censorship, algorithm dependency, and performance metric obsession were also prominent. Participants frequently reported emotional exhaustion, fear of irrelevance, and a lack of institutional support structures. These stressors were intensified by the absence of formal workplace protections or mental health resources. Digital content creators face a complex intersection of psychological, social, and platform-driven pressures that significantly impact their mental health. The findings highlight the urgent need for systemic recognition of digital labor and the development of targeted mental health interventions, platform governance reforms, and creator-centered support systems.
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