Using Evolutionary Theory to Understand Associations Between Passive and Active Social Media Use and Well-Being

Abstract

Abstract Although social media plays a significant role in many people's lives, some previous studies have found that social media use (SMU) can have a negative impact on well-being. Previous studies have offered theories to help explain this relationship but have not explored this link from an evolutionary perspective. In the current study, we hypothesized from the evolutionary perspective that (1) students higher on social comparison (more often female) would report more passive SMU and associated feelings of depression, and (2) status striving would be associated with higher reports of active SMU, and for those high on social status striving, active SMU would be related to poorer ratings of well-being. Eighty-four undergraduate participants received a survey on campus that they completed in 10–15 min. The survey measured self-reported SMU, well-being, feelings of depression, status striving, and social comparison. The results supported the social comparison model for passive SMU but not the status striving model for active SMU. Whereas self-reported status striving was associated with ratings of active SMU, active SMU was positively associated with ratings of well-being only for those low on status striving. It is concluded that the evolutionary perspective indicates that female students are more inclined to passive SMU, which is associated with more feelings of depression. It is argued that the evolutionary perspective deserves more attention in this field of research.