“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.
- Author(s)
- Desiree Schmuck, Kathrin Karsay, Jörg Matthes, Anja Stevic
- Abstract
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.
- Organisation(s)
- Department of Communication
- Journal
- Telematics and Informatics: An Interdisciplinary Journal on the Social Impacts of New Technologies
- Volume
- 42
- No. of pages
- 12
- ISSN
- 0736-5853
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tele.2019.101240
- Publication date
- 09-2019
- Peer reviewed
- Yes
- Austrian Fields of Science 2012
- 508007 Communication science
- Keywords
- ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Computer Networks and Communications
- Portal url
- https://ucris.univie.ac.at/portal/en/publications/looking-up-and-feeling-down-the-influence-of-mobile-social-networking-site-use-on-upward-social-comparison-selfesteem-and-wellbeing-of-adult-smartphone-users(17bec9e0-ab3c-4f14-8050-928837cd7165).html