Date of Conferral

2020

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Psychology

Advisor

Matthew E. Fearrington

Abstract

As social networking sites have become a typical daily activity, there is a need to better understand the outcomes of online behaviors on other life functions. Prior researchers have found that social comparison and social networking behaviors can negatively affect adolescents’ and young adults’ self-esteem, however the potential threats for women who evaluate themselves based on comparisons to others has not been examined. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects on health and well-being for older adult women using the image-sharing site Instagram who share selfies. The theoretical framework for this study was the social comparison theory. Participants (N = 117) completed the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale and Iowa-Netherlands Social Comparison Orientation and answered questions about their selfie-sharing behaviors. Data were analyzed using multiple linear regression to determine the best predictors for depressive symptoms. The study revealed a significant model for the correlation between the variables, although only self-esteem and social comparison contributed to any meaningful significance. Selfie-sharing behaviors had no predictive qualities in this study. The correlations suggest that low self-esteem and high social comparison are associated with increased depressive symptoms. Social networking sites could provide awareness of the impacts of excessive social comparisons and issue warnings to users. In their work with clients, mental health practitioners could use the study’s findings of relationships between the variables to explain how social comparisons impact well-being and offer healthier ways of overcoming the negative emotions, such as self-compassion and mindfulness, that can be brought on by the comparison leading to positive social change.

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