A recent paper published in the Journal of Social & Clinical Psychology suggests that time spent on Facebook may be linked to depressive symptom. The researchers who conducted the study found that this relationship was mediated by social comparisons, our natural inclination to compare ourselves to others when learning about their lives. Interestingly, of the two studies conducted by the researchers, one suggested Facebook social comparisons mediated the association between Facebook usage and depressive symptoms only in men. The other study, however, found that social comparison mediated this association in both genders (1).
Facebook use may be linked to depressive symptoms. Source: Wikimedia Commons
In the first study, participants recruited from an undergraduate psychology class were given a survey that gathered information on Facebook usage and psychological factors. Social comparison and depressive symptoms were measured by asking participants to rank their agreement with standardized statements adapted to the Facebook setting. For example, one such statement regarding social comparison was “When I am on Facebook, I always pay a lot of attention to how well I have done something compared to how others do things” (1). Likewise, one statement used to assess depressive symptoms was “I felt like I could not shake off the blues even with help from my family or friends” (1).
To explain the finding that increased Facebook usage was linked to increase social comparisons and depressive symptoms only in men, the authors note that according to a previous study, men are more likely than women to use social media for dating (2). Thus, men may be making more social comparisons to other males who they are ‘competing’ with, leading to more depressive symptoms, while women may be using social media more for networking, leading to fewer social comparisons.
In the second study, participants made nightly diary entries for two weeks regarding their Facebook usage, depressive symptomology, and social comparisons. However, in this study, the social comparison section assessed the type of social comparison (upward, downward, or non-directional). Upward comparisons involve “seeing oneself as inferior to others,” in contrast with downward comparisons, while non-directional comparisons do not involve a judgment of superiority or inferiority (1). In line with the first study, the second study found that all three types of Facebook social comparisons mediate the relationship between Facebook usage and depressive symptoms. Even though some prior research suggests downward social comparisons have positive psychological effects, the present study supports other research that suggests all social comparison, regardless of direction, is linked to depressive symptoms. The researchers suggested that downward social comparisons in which the individual sees himself as superior to others may be a defense mechanism and thus reflect low self-esteem and depressive symptoms (1).
The authors also note that future studies may directly analyze the content of participants’ Facebook posts to better develop a causational relationship between Facebook use and depressive symptoms. In addition, the researchers suggest restriction of Facebook use could help college-age students, who are especially susceptible to social comparisons as they develop their social identities, with depressive symptoms (1).
Sources:
Steers, M.-L. N., Wickham, R. E., & Acitelli, L. K. (2014). Seeing everyone else’s highlight reels: How Facebook usage is linked to depressive symptoms. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 33(8), 701. doi: 10.1521/jscp.2014.33.8.701
Raacke, J., & Bonds-Raacke, J. (2008). MySpace and Facebook: Applying the uses and gratifications theory to exploring friend-networking sites. CyberPsychology & Behavior, 11, 169–174.