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“More Posts, More Depressed”: Social Comparison Mediates the Effects of Status Updates Frequency on Psychological Well-Being

Sun, May 27, 12:30 to 13:45, Hilton Prague, Floor: LL, Congress Hall II - Exhibit Hall/Posters

Abstract

Different specific pattern of SNSs usage could impact individuals' psychological well-being differently. However, little attention has been paid on the impact of status updates frequency on psychological well-being, explained by the underlying mechanism of social comparison. Due to the amounts and valence of Likes and comments for one’s posts could be signals for popularity, which signify public acceptance within one’s social environment, it is plausible that individuals may compare the amounts and valence of feedback with others to acquire affirmation on popularity. Yet presentations of others’ favorable images due to positive and strategical online self-presentation often make others’ posts with a great number of Likes and comments, which leads an individual to engage in negative social comparison easily. Therefore, the present study hypothesizes that those who update status more frequently may have more opportunities to engage in negative social comparison about posts’ feedback to evoke envy, which, in turn, undermines individuals’ psychological well-being. And self-esteem might moderate the relationship between status updates frequency and negative social comparison frequency.

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