Loneliness and Facebook use: the role of social comparison and rumination

B Dibb,M Foster

doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e05999

Abstract

There is conflicting evidence as to whether Facebook, one of the most popular social networking sites, either promotes social connectedness or contributes to the rising prevalence of loneliness. This study aimed to understand the association between Facebook use and loneliness. Two hundred and fourteen active Facebook users (Mage = 35.65; 80.8% female) completed a cross-sectional questionnaire measuring the nature of their Facebook use, how frequently they ruminate, the tendency to compare themselves to their Facebook friends, and upward and downward social comparison. The results showed that rumination and upward social comparison on Facebook were significantly associated with loneliness. The type of activity users engaged in when using Facebook was not significant. The study therefore demonstrates that Facebook users who ruminate and compare themselves to their perceived superiors on Facebook are more likely to experience loneliness. Suggested solutions include raising awareness and using algorithms on Facebook to deliver targeted interventions.

Highlights

The number of people experiencing loneliness is growing, with some researchers describing it as a public health problem [1]
Loneliness shows a significant association with rumination, depression, two of the social comparison variables, and passive Facebook use
This study has extended the current research into social media use and psychological well-being by identifying the associations between Facebook use and loneliness: those who make upward comparisons on Facebook and engage in rumination, experience feelings of loneliness

Summary

Introduction

The number of people experiencing loneliness is growing, with some researchers describing it as a public health problem [1]. Loneliness, defined as the discrepancy between desired and actual social relationships [2], is reported to be a growing problem; one in four adults report feeling lonely at least once a week [1, 3]. These numbers are concerning considering the long-term effects of loneliness, which include anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, and reduced well-being [1, 4]. Loneliness has been found to be associated with risky health behaviours, such as smoking which, have implications for health [5]

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Conclusion