TY - JOUR
T1 - “Looking up and feeling down”. The influence of mobile social networking site use on upward social comparison, self-esteem, and well-being of adult smartphone users.
AU - Schmuck, Desiree
AU - Karsay, Kathrin
AU - Matthes, Jörg
AU - Stevic, Anja
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2019 Elsevier Ltd
PY - 2019/9
Y1 - 2019/9
N2 - Exposure to carefully selected information on social networking sites (SNSs) showing a flawless self and an ideal life has been found to harm young individuals' self-esteem and well-being. However, SNS use is no longer limited to young people. Fueled by the sharp increase of smartphone ownerships, which allow users to access information about others anytime and anywhere, nowadays, a wide range of age groups uses SNSs. Accordingly, this study investigated the relationships between mobile SNS use, upward social comparison, self-esteem, and well-being for the first time. We employed a two-wave panel survey (N-T2 = 461) using a quota sample of adults. Results revealed that Facebook use predicted upward social comparison, which harmed individuals' self-esteem and well-being over time, while Instagram use directly influenced wellbeing negatively over time. Additionally, we found support for reciprocal relationships between upward social comparison on SNSs and self-esteem as well as well-being in a longitudinal context. The potential negative implications of SNS use on well-being are discussed.
AB - Exposure to carefully selected information on social networking sites (SNSs) showing a flawless self and an ideal life has been found to harm young individuals' self-esteem and well-being. However, SNS use is no longer limited to young people. Fueled by the sharp increase of smartphone ownerships, which allow users to access information about others anytime and anywhere, nowadays, a wide range of age groups uses SNSs. Accordingly, this study investigated the relationships between mobile SNS use, upward social comparison, self-esteem, and well-being for the first time. We employed a two-wave panel survey (N-T2 = 461) using a quota sample of adults. Results revealed that Facebook use predicted upward social comparison, which harmed individuals' self-esteem and well-being over time, while Instagram use directly influenced wellbeing negatively over time. Additionally, we found support for reciprocal relationships between upward social comparison on SNSs and self-esteem as well as well-being in a longitudinal context. The potential negative implications of SNS use on well-being are discussed.
KW - AFFECTIVE CONSEQUENCES
KW - BENEFITS
KW - DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS
KW - EXPLORING ASSOCIATIONS
KW - FACEBOOK USE
KW - INSTAGRAM USE
KW - LIFE SATISFACTION
KW - MEDIA
KW - ONLINE
KW - PEOPLE
KW - Self-esteem
KW - Social comparison
KW - Social networking sites
KW - Well-being
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85068439127&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.tele.2019.101240
DO - 10.1016/j.tele.2019.101240
M3 - Article
VL - 42
JO - Telematics and Informatics: An Interdisciplinary Journal on the Social Impacts of New Technologies
JF - Telematics and Informatics: An Interdisciplinary Journal on the Social Impacts of New Technologies
SN - 0736-5853
M1 - 101240
ER -