Abstract
Prior studies indicated that actively using social network sites (SNSs) is positively associated with well-being by enhancing social support and feelings of connectedness. Conversely, passively using SNSs is negatively associated with well-being by fostering upward social comparison and envy. However, the majority of these studies has focused on Facebook. The present research examined the relationships between well-being-satisfaction with life, negative affect, positive affect-and using actively or passively various SNSs-Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok-during the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, two mediators were tested: social support and upward social comparison. One thousand four persons completed an online survey during the quarantine measures; the analyses employed structural equation modeling. Results showed that passive usage of Facebook is negatively related to well-being through upward social comparison, whereas active usage of Instagram is positively related to satisfaction with life and negative affect through social support. Furthermore, active usage of Twitter was positively related to satisfaction with life through social support; while passive usage was negatively related to upward social comparison, which, in turn, was associated with more negative affect. Finally, TikTok use was not associated with well-being. Results are discussed in line with SNSs' architectures and users' motivations. Future research is required to go beyond methodological and statistical limitations and allow generalization. This study concludes that SNSs must be differentiated to truly understand how they shape human interactions.
Highlights
MethodsOne thousand four persons agreed to participate in the study
The COVID-19 pandemic that has hit the world since the end of 2019 has led the governments of many countries to impose quarantine measures on their populations
Results showed that the overall use have increased during the quarantine for all social network sites (SNSs), and in particular for TikTok: Facebook (t(702) = 11.84, p < .001, d = .45), Instagram (t(501) = 6.33, p < .001, d = .28), Twitter (t(299) = 4.02, p < .001, d = .23) and TikTok (t(120) = 10.31, p < .001, d = .94)
Summary
One thousand four persons agreed to participate in the study. Among them, were excluded those reporting missing data and under the age of 18. The final sample was composed of 793 participants (613 women, 178 men and 2 persons who have a gender identity other than male or female) aged between 18 and 77 years old (M = 33.75, SD = 14.70). Participants were recruited through academic mailing lists from social science, which explains the large proportion of women and academic people in the sample. All participants signed an informed consent form and accepted voluntary to take part in this research. Measures reported in the present study are part of a larger questionnaire; all data are available in OSF (Open Science Framework) at: https://osf.io/s5mjx/
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