Seeing everyone else's highlight reels: How Facebook usage is linked to depressive symptoms

Mai Ly N. Steers, Robert E. Wickham, Linda K. Acitelli

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

326 Scopus citations

Abstract

Two studies investigated how social comparison to peers through computer-mediated interactions on Facebook might impact users' psychological health. Study 1 (N = 180) revealed an association between time spent on Facebook and depressive symptoms for both genders. However, results demonstrated that making Facebook social comparisons mediated the link between time spent on Facebook and depressive symptoms for men only. Using a 14-day diary design (N = 152), Study 2 found that the relationship between the amount of time spent on Facebook and depressive symptoms was uniquely mediated by upward, nondirectional, and downward Facebook social comparisons. Similarly, all three types of Facebook social comparisons mediated the relationship between the number of Facebook logins and depressive symptoms. Unlike Study 1, gender did not moderate these associations. Both studies provide evidence that people feel depressed after spending a great deal of time on Facebook because they feel badly when comparing themselves to others.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)701-731
Number of pages31
JournalJournal of Social and Clinical Psychology
Volume33
Issue number8
DOIs
StatePublished - 2014
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Social Psychology
  • Clinical Psychology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Seeing everyone else's highlight reels: How Facebook usage is linked to depressive symptoms'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this