The Mediating Roles of Upward Social Comparison and Self-esteem and the Moderating Role of Social Comparison Orientation in the Association between Social Networking Site Usage and Subjective Well-Being

Abstract

The increased pervasiveness of social media use has raised questions about potential effects on users’ subjective well-being, with studies reaching contrasting conclusions. To reconcile these discrepancies and shed new light on this phenomenon, the current study examined: (1) whether upward social comparison and self-esteem mediate the association between social networking site (SNS) usage and users’ subjective well-being, and (2) whether the association between SNS usage and upward social comparison is moderated by users’ social comparison orientation. Data from 696 participants were collected. Structural equation modeling revealed that upward social comparison and self-esteem mediated the relationship between SNS usage and users’ subjective well-being. We found that social comparison orientation moderated the association between passive SNS usage and users’ upward social comparison. Specifically, social comparison orientation strengthened the association between passive SNS usage and upward social comparison. The results might suggest a process through which passive SNS usage is related to subjective well-being, and identify a context under which these associations may differ.

The use of social networking sites, body image dissatisfaction, and body dysmorphic disorder: A systematic review of psychological research.

“…Additionally, it is suggested that high social comparison orientation SNS users are more likely to engage in upward social comparisons, and therefore face more detrimental effects in regards to self-evaluations and well-being (Wang et al, 2017). Such findings support the need for further exploration in potential body image and media literacy interventions to educate individuals about the impact of comparisons on SNS and well-being .…”

“…A total of 12 studies were highlighted to identify mediating factors (Ridolfi, Myer, Crowther & Ciesla, 2011;Tiggemann & Slater, 2013;Fardouly & Varanian, 2015;Hanna, Ward, Seabrook, Jeralds, Reed, Giaccardi & Lippman, 2017;Hendrickse et al, 2017;Rousseau, Eggermont & Frison, 2017;Stapleton, Luiz & Chatwin, 2017;Wang, Wang, Gaskin & Hawk, 2017;Choukas, Bradley, Nesi, Widman & Higgins 2018;Fardouly, Willburger & Vartanian, 2018;Feltman & Szymanski, 2018;Sherlock & Wagstaff, 2018). These studies comprised of predominantly female participants and included a samples from primary school (Tiggemann & Slater, 2013), university Chouckas et al, 2018), in addition to Ozone and WeChat users (Wang, Wang, Gaskin & Hawk, 2017) and Instagram users (Sherlock & Wagstaff, 2018).…”

Negative influences of Facebook use through the lens of network analysis

“…However, the mechanisms underlying these associations need further investigation. In line with Wang, Wang, Gaskin, & Hawk (2017), we hypothesized to find that indicators of (intensity of) Facebook use would be linked to reduced well-being -as shown by elevated depressive-, anxiety-, and stress-related symptoms -via social comparison and self-esteem. For this purpose, we set up an exploratory study (Study 1), modeling the unique associations between each of these constructs.…”

Chinese Consumers’ Herd Consumption Behavior Related to Korean Luxury Cosmetics: The Mediating Role of Fear of Missing Out

“…Self-esteem assesses an individual's perception of himself or herself (Fuller et al, 2006). In psychology, numerous studies have examined self-esteem and its connections with a person's cognition, emotions, and behavior (Wang et al, 2017). According to Fuller et al (2006), self-esteem refers to adolescents' evaluations of their own worth or their satisfaction with themselves, and is divided into three dimensions of the self: physical appearance, romantic attractiveness, and the ability to develop and keep close friendships.…”

“…According to Fuller et al (2006), self-esteem refers to adolescents' evaluations of their own worth or their satisfaction with themselves, and is divided into three dimensions of the self: physical appearance, romantic attractiveness, and the ability to develop and keep close friendships. Wang et al (2017) proposes that self-esteem refers to a comparatively steady mental state that reflects people's social reality and influences their cognition and behavior. People with high self-esteem tend to be more resilient to external influences than are those with low selfesteem.…”