مقایسه های اجتماعی در فیس بوک و رابطه با علائم افسردگی
Abstract
1- Introduction
2- Method
3- Results
4- Discussion
5- Conclusion
References
Abstract
Facebook and offline social comparisons have been associated with depressive symptoms, however no study has simultaneously examined comparison tendencies across both settings as predictors of depressive symptomology. Accordingly, this study investigated the difference between comparison orientation (tendency to make comparisons) and direction on Facebook and offline, and the predictive utility of these comparisons on depressive symptoms. A convenience sample of 181 young adults aged 18 to 25 years (Mage = 21.90 years, SD = 2.14; 51 males, 130 females) completed an online questionnaire measuring comparisons, depressive symptoms and Facebook use. Paired samples t-tests indicated that participants had higher comparison tendencies offline, CI [1.97, 4.18], d = 0.40, and had more negative comparison tendencies on Facebook, CI [−6.37, −2.58], d = 0.25. Hierarchical multiple regression indicated that offline orientation and negative direction predicted significant unique variance in depressive symptoms (2.6% and 9.4% respectively, f2 = 0.33), whilst Facebook orientation and direction did not. Findings indicate that Facebook comparison tendencies may simply reflect offline comparison tendencies, and that depressive symptoms may be a result of a general tendency to compare across both settings.
Introduction
There is a growing body of literature exploring the relationship between social networking site use and various mental health outcomes in young adults. One area of research examines the effect of engaging in social comparisons on social networking sites such as Facebook (Appel, Gerlach, & Crusius, 2016). The propensity to make social comparisons, and the direction of social comparisons, varies across individuals. Findings generally indicate that Facebook use encourages individuals to engage in social comparisons, and that these comparisons are typically negative and appear to lead to depressive symptoms (Appel et al., 2016; Seabrook, Kern, & Rickard, 2016). No studies however have looked at the differences between Facebook and offline social comparison strength and direction, or their relative contribution to depressive symptoms. Festinger (1954) proposed a social comparison theory positing that individuals compare their opinions and abilities with others in order to evaluate themselves. Social comparisons are conceptualised and measured in terms of orientation (Gibbons & Buunk, 1999) and direction (Allan & Gilbert, 1995). Social comparison orientation is defined as the tendency to make comparisons, with individuals higher in orientation more likely to make comparisons (Gibbons & Buunk, 1999). Social comparison direction is defined as the tendency to make either more positive or negative comparisons with oneself and others (Allan & Gilbert, 1995). Positive comparisons occur when individuals compare themselves with others who they perceive as inferior, and negative comparisons occur when individuals compare themselves with others who they perceive as superior.