The Positive Side of Social Comparison on Social Network Sites: How Envy Can Drive Inspiration on Instagram

Abstract

A growing body of research finds social network sites (SNS) such as Instagram to facilitate social comparison and the emotional experience of envy in everyday life, with harmful effects for users' well-being. Yet, previous research has exclusively focused on the negative side of social comparison and envy on SNS. Thereby, it has neglected two important aspects: (a) comparison processes can also elicit a beneficial emotional reaction to other users' online self-presentations (i.e., benign envy) and, thus, (b) comparisons can be motivating, with positive outcomes for well-being. The present study aims at closing this research gap by investigating how social comparisons and envy on SNS are related to inspiration, a complex motivational state. Due to its specific characteristics of a creative and aesthetic visual culture, we focus our investigation on Instagram. A structural equation modeling mediation analysis with data from N = 385 Instagram users reveals that the intensity of social comparisons on Instagram was positively related to inspiration and that this relationship was fully mediated by benign envy. Furthermore, inspiration on Instagram was related to increased positive affect. Results of this study underline that to understand the effects of SNS on well-being, we also need to consider the positive motivational side of social comparison and envy.

Computer-mediated communication, social media, and mental health: A conceptual and empirical meta-review

“…(3) The branded application level refers to variables that focus only on one or several branded application(s), such as Facebook or Instagram. While these branded platforms can be subsumed under broader types of applications (e.g., SNS), they are frequently studied individually as key exemplars (e.g., Meier & Schäfer, 2018). It is important to distinguish this level of analysis from the previous one, as unique applications may have properties and cultures that diverge from other applications or their broader types.…”

“…However, both approaches have their pitfalls. Technology-centered measures of exposure, especially selfreports, are notoriously unreliable (e.g., Orben, 2020) finding "upward comparison on Instagram" negatively affects well-being cannot inform upon whether this is an effect of upward comparison, characteristics of Instagram, or both (e.g., Meier & Schäfer, 2018). Our recommendation for future research is therefore a combination of the technology-and user-centered approaches: Studies should strive to measure technology use descriptively, ideally via digital tracking (e.g., Bayer, Ellison, Schoenebeck, Brady, & Falk, 2018) and at multiple levels of the taxonomy, to allow comparisons.…”

“…Ignoring them in empirical research on CMC may thus overlook crucial effect patterns. Recent research, for instance, suggests that conclusions about the effects of social comparison on SNS partly depend on whether one investigates internalizing PTH (e.g., depression), or positive outcomes such as inspiration (eudaimonic PWB) and positive affect (hedonic PWB) (Meier & Schäfer, 2018). Externalizing PTH (e.g., aggression), in turn, could be affected by online incivility and may be a more relevant PTH indicator among men.…”

The interaction between serotonin transporter allelic variation and maternal care modulates sociability on Instagram

“…Among these sites, Instagram (IG) is a photo-and video-sharing platform where users can follow stories, publish or comment on posts, watch or upload content, and chat privately. Some evidence demonstrated that increased Instagram activity may be associated with positive [6] and negative [7] outcomes. However, environmental influence is insufficient in explaining a tangled phenomenon like social behaviour.…”

Pemanfaatan Sosial Media Sebagai Strategi Promosi Bagi Keberlangsungan Bisnis Umkm

“…User behavior ini mempelajari pola berpikir dan pola berinteraksi antara satu orang dengan lainnya di dalam media sosial. Diharapkan dengan mempelajari user behavior dapat menentukan strategi apa yang dibutuhkan oleh para pelaku bisnis UMKM (Waluyo & Budiarsi, 2018 (Meier & Schäfer, 2018).…”