Abstract
Excessive use of social network sites (SNSs) can often lead to negative consequences of frequent upward social comparisons despite having the social network platform to present users in a favorable light. However, the existing literature gives little evidence to social comparison related antecedents and consequents of uncontrollable use of SNSs. The present study aimed to investigate the contributions of social comparison to SNS addiction. In Study 1, using a convenient sample in Austria (n = 103), we showed that the tendency to engage in social comparisons of ability (but not of opinion) predicted self-reported SNS addiction over and above the feelings of relative deprivation on social support and status. SNS addiction mediated the relations between social comparison of ability and stress, but not self-esteem. In Study 2, using a broad sample of participants in Austria (n = 500), we replicated the findings observed in Study 1 and showed that contrastive upward social comparison emotions (i.e., envy, depression) mediated the relation between SNS addiction and lower self-esteem whereas the contrastive downward social comparison emotion (i.e., contentment) mediated the relation between SNS addiction and higher self-esteem. Our findings suggest that SNS addiction closely relates to psychological constructs relevant to social comparison, mediates the link between social comparison of ability and detrimental consequences (i.e., stress, well-being) and demonstrate how social comparison emotions relate to both positive and negative associations between SNS addiction and self-esteem.
Highlights
Recent technological developments transformed the way people interact with each other from face-to-face to mobile-device-dependent interactions
Many people have utilized social network sites (SNSs) such as Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram allegedly for means to stay in touch with friends or to build new social connections and this trend has highly contributed to the boom of online social interactions in the recent decade [1, 2]
Our results revealed that the tendency to engage in social comparisons of ability was significantly positively correlated with SNS addiction (1–1.99 = 53.4%, 2–2.99 = 34.9%; 3–3.99 = 8.8%; 4– 4.99 = 2.9%), r(101) = .49, p < .001, perceived relative deprivation of material wealth, r(101) = .39, p < .001, tendency to engage in social comparisons of opinion, r(101) = .58, p < .001, and negatively correlated with self-esteem r(101) = -.21, p = .036, but did not correlate with perceived relative deprivation of social relationship, r(101) = .14, p = .166, nor with perceived stress, r(101) = .13, p =
Summary
Recent technological developments transformed the way people interact with each other from face-to-face to mobile-device-dependent interactions. Many people have utilized social network sites (SNSs) such as Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram allegedly for means to stay in touch with friends or to build new social connections and this trend has highly contributed to the boom of online social interactions in the recent decade [1, 2]. While SNSs have enabled us to make new social connections beyond physical restrictions [3, 4], empirical findings have shown that excessive use of SNSs is associated with detrimental psychological effects. Despite some positive effects such as enabling effective information sharing and strengthening group cohesion [5], extensive evidence suggests that excessive SNS activities are associated with negative consequences such as increased anxiety [6], lower self-. Given the negative impacts on general health in the society, investigating social and individual indicators that contribute to developing problematic SNS use is highly warranted
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