Understanding Social Comparison Dynamics on Social Media: A Qualitative Examination of Individual and Platform Characteristics

Psychology and Marketing, Год журнала: 2025, Номер unknown

Опубликована: Фев. 2, 2025

ABSTRACT As social media platforms continue to expand and attract more users, there is growing interest among scholars policymakers understand their impact on individuals. Drawing self‐presentation comparison theories, this study explores the complex dynamics of within context media, aiming identify key individual platform characteristics that influence phenomenon. The methodology uses two waves qualitative studies with diverse respondent profiles complexities across various demographic groups. Study 1 consists 39 semi‐structured interviews a thematic analysis while 2 made eight case studies. findings highlight interplay factors such as gender, age, self‐esteem, literacy, type content consumed in shaping user experiences comparison. Additionally, an integrative framework antecedents consequences proposed. By providing nuanced comprehension these mechanisms, research contributes theoretical advancements managerial implications navigating online dynamics.

Язык: Английский

---

Parental social media literacy antecedents and children’s digital media addiction: observations from two African countries

Competitiveness Review An International Business Journal incorporating Journal of Global Competitiveness, Год журнала: 2025, Номер unknown

Опубликована: Март 8, 2025

Purpose This study aims to investigate the potential impact of parental social media literacy (SML) dimensions on children’s digital addiction (CDMA). Design/methodology/approach The used a quantitative research design, specifically survey questionnaire, quantify data and derive conclusions. Descriptive statistics, Pearson product moment correlation multiple regression were analyze data. Findings results indicated negative between SML (technical, cognitive competencies) CDMA. Therefore, media-literate parents are better suited communicate with their children, monitor online activities acknowledge hazards addiction. Practical implications Gaining insight into factors that influence CDMA could guide educators policymakers regarding technology utilization future employees. can business investments in wellness training, increase productivity foster healthier relationships activities. By endorsing competencies mitigate youth risks, companies growth competent labor forces. Originality/value findings have contributed literature concerning Egypt Nigeria’s settings.

Язык: Английский

---

Social Media Activities With Different Content Characteristics and Adolescent Mental Health: Cross-Sectional Survey Study

Journal of Medical Internet Research, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 27, С. e73098 - e73098

Опубликована: Апрель 28, 2025

Background Adolescent mental health concerns are rising in the United States, with social media often cited as a contributing factor, although research findings remain mixed. A key limitation is simplistic view of use, which fails to consistently predict well-being. Scholars call for more nuanced framework and better understanding how use influences adolescent through various psychosocial mechanisms. Objective Using Multidimensional Model Social Media Use, we explored 4 activities content characteristics (intimate directed communication, intimate broadcasting, positive consumption) associated depression anxiety 3 mediators: support, approval anxiety, comparison. Methods Cross-sectional survey data were collected Qualtrics’ panel service from sample adolescents whose gender racial or ethnic distributions nationally representative (N=2105; mean age 15.39, SD 1.82 years). Participants passed attention checks ensure validity. Measures included 9 validated scales (Cronbach α=0.83-0.91): consumption), mediators (social comparison), 2 outcomes (depression anxiety). Mplus, performed 2-step structural equation modeling. Confirmatory factor analysis established scale validity, path tested hypothesized exploratory associations between activities, mediators, health, controlling demographic covariates amount phone use. fit criteria (comparative index Tucker-Lewis close greater than 0.95; root square error approximation was less 0.08) met. Significance determined using false discovery rate control, familywise type 1 set at 0.05. Results Our showed that broadcasting lower (β=–.14; P<.001) (β=–.06; P=.03), mainly direct paths. The other related problems. Specifically, communication (β=.06; P=.03) P=.04); (β=.07; P=.02); consumption higher (β=.13; P<.001). Approval comparison played salient role these total effects. Conclusions highlight importance distinguishing when assessing risks benefits. Intimate became risk factors increased comparison, both. Positive because its anxiety.

Язык: Английский

---

Social Media Activities With Different Content Characteristics and Adolescent Mental Health: Cross-Sectional Survey Study (Preprint)

Опубликована: Фев. 24, 2025

Adolescent mental health concerns are rising in the United States, with social media often cited as a contributing factor, although research findings remain mixed. A key limitation is simplistic view of use, which fails to consistently predict well-being. Scholars call for more nuanced framework and better understanding how use influences adolescent through various psychosocial mechanisms. Using Multidimensional Model Social Media Use, we explored 4 activities content characteristics (intimate directed communication, intimate broadcasting, positive consumption) associated depression anxiety 3 mediators: support, approval anxiety, comparison. Cross-sectional survey data were collected Qualtrics’ panel service from sample adolescents whose gender racial or ethnic distributions nationally representative (N=2105; mean age 15.39, SD 1.82 years). Participants passed attention checks ensure validity. Measures included 9 validated scales (Cronbach α=0.83-0.91): consumption), mediators (social comparison), 2 outcomes (depression anxiety). Mplus, performed 2-step structural equation modeling. Confirmatory factor analysis established scale validity, path tested hypothesized exploratory associations between activities, mediators, health, controlling demographic covariates amount phone use. fit criteria (comparative index Tucker-Lewis close greater than 0.95; root square error approximation was less 0.08) met. Significance determined using false discovery rate control, familywise type 1 set at 0.05. Our showed that broadcasting lower (β=–.14; <i>P</i>&lt;.001) (β=–.06; <i>P</i>=.03), mainly direct paths. The other related problems. Specifically, communication (β=.06; <i>P</i>=.03) <i>P</i>=.04); (β=.07; <i>P</i>=.02); consumption higher (β=.13; <i>P</i>&lt;.001). Approval comparison played salient role these total effects. highlight importance distinguishing when assessing risks benefits. Intimate became risk factors increased comparison, both. Positive because its anxiety.

Язык: Английский

---

To use or be used? The role of agency in social media use and well-being

Frontiers in Computer Science, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 5

Опубликована: Апрель 3, 2023

In this paper, we develop the concept of agentic social media use: a way engaging with that emphasizes having beliefs, knowledge, and practices to use it intentionally. comparison instances “mindless” use, people who agentically do so purpose in mind: they leverage affordances things are meaningful, useful, or satisfying for them. For example, can intentionally build manage their relationships, seek out learn new information about interests, craft positive image themselves through content post. Crucially, however, there many other valuable uses may not be considered conventionally productive but nonetheless deliberate such as using relax, unwind, entertain an effort modulate emotions. To means (1) hold mindset one's relationship media, (2) have knowledge literacy understand how navigate effectively, (3) enact assert control over specific elements curating refining algorithmic recommendation. Approaching from perspective agency intentionality allows us better heterogeneous effects identify ways helping benefit these technologies.

Язык: Английский

---

“Whatever you do, I can do too”: Disentangling the daily relations between exposure to positive social media content, can self, and pressure

Communication Monographs, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 90(4), С. 437 - 455

Опубликована: Май 9, 2023

The current 14-day diary study among 186 adolescents (56.1% boys; Mage = 15.62 years) examined how daily exposure to positive social media content (i.e., portrayals of individuals’ best possible selves) relates their well-being. results suggest that uncommon vacations and relationships) positively adolescents’ beliefs about potential have a similar, successful lifestyle “can self”). Such seem turn into pressure improve on days when feel they are not as believe should be feelings discrepancy). In conclusion, confident remain perceive such within reach, yet experience themselves falling behind.

Язык: Английский

---

Are humorous or distractor images more effective than self-compassion messages for combatting the negative body image consequences of social media? An experimental test of possible micro-intervention stimuli

Body Image, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 46, С. 356 - 371

Опубликована: Июль 18, 2023

Appearance-focused images on social media are thought to be particularly detrimental for body image. However, sites can also used encourage positive health behaviours. Three linked experiments with 620 Instagram users explored the protective capabilities of appearance-related self-compassion and humorous messages women's image during use. Using simulated browsing tasks, participants were exposed a set fitspiration posts mixed either or messages, appearance-neutral images. Results indicated that not more effective at protecting against negative appearance life satisfaction outcomes than images, did influence comparison (Experiment 1), even when personal relevance participants' was reinforced through experimental manipulation 2). Rather, presence any which contain pictures women, regardless content, led improved compared exposure alone 3). Interpersonal factors such as similarity female target's influenced nature comparisons made. The study highlights importance diluting appearance-focused content other in ongoing research practice user well-being.

Язык: Английский

---

From Clicks to Calm: Investigating the Link Between Mindfulness and Digital Hoarding Behavior Among Chinese Youth

Psychology Research and Behavior Management, Год журнала: 2024, Номер Volume 17, С. 3283 - 3297

Опубликована: Сен. 1, 2024

Digital hoarding refers to the continuous acquisition of digital content and difficulty in disposing it. This behavior is increasingly common among today's youth. study aims explore impact mindfulness on behavior, investigating self-control as a mediator upward social comparison via media moderator.

Язык: Английский

---

Beyond the Swipe: Investigating the Interplay of Technology, Media, and Human Behavior in Digital Romance

Journal of the Knowledge Economy, Год журнала: 2024, Номер unknown

Опубликована: Фев. 5, 2024

Язык: Английский

---

Beyond Active-Passive: Towards the Next Stage of Social Media and Mental Health Research

Опубликована: Март 10, 2024

How social media impact users’ mental health and well-being is a critical question discussed fiercely by publics around the globe researchers across disciplines. To overcome challenges of earlier “screen time” research, many recent studies adopted active-passive approach. This model dichotomizes use into “active” exchanges “passive” consumption, with active yielding benefits passive resulting in harmful upward comparison envy. Yet, this has produced surprisingly inconsistent evidence, sparking theoretical debates extensions. Here, we critically synthesize six remaining for approach develop an agenda that outlines why how field needs to go beyond active-passive. Specifically, envision three routes future research alongside integrated communication-centered model, which proposes focus efforts on message effects, cross-platform experiences, technology features affordances.

Язык: Английский

---