Reduction in Self-Esteem and Self-Evaluation Following Upward Social Comparison on Facebook: Depression as a Moderator

Facebook, which is a context for a desirable self-presentation and identity management, is an ideal platform for upward social comparison. However, limited research has examined potential negative effects of exposure to upward social comparison on social networking sites. The aims of the current study were to examine the potential negative effects of upward social comparison on self-esteem and self-evaluation and to explore if these negative effects were more pronounced among individuals with depressed affect. Fifty-eight undergraduate psychology students were randomly assigned to either an upward or an downward comparison group, where the comparison manipulation was made with different amount of likes and comments on the fictitious Facebook profiles that participants ́ temporarily viewed. Counter to hypotheses, following exposure to the Facebook profiles, there were no differences between the groups in state self-esteem and self-evaluation and temporal self- esteem decreased in both the downward and the upward social comparison condition. Confirming the moderation effect of depression, there was an interaction between social comparison and depressed affect for social self-esteem and self-evaluation. The findings suggest that depressed individuals are more vulnerable to upward social comparison on social networking sites than nondepressed individuals.

Author dc:creator

• Helga Margrét Ólafsdóttir 1990-

Contributors dc:contributor

• Háskólinn í Reykjavík

• Sálfræði
• Samfélagsmiðlar
• Sjálfsmynd (sálfræði)
• Þunglyndi
• Psychology
• Social media
• Self-perception
• Depression

Language dc:language.iso

en

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/1946/22557

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:skemman.is:1946/22557