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Upward social comparison on social network sites and depressive symptoms: A moderated mediation model of self-esteem and optimism
- Source :
- Personality and Individual Differences. 113:223-228
- Publication Year :
- 2017
- Publisher :
- Elsevier BV, 2017.
-
Abstract
- Studies have revealed that upward social comparison on social network sites (SNSs) was a risk factor for depressive symptoms, however, little is known about the underlying processes that may mediate or moderate this relationship. This study extended prior research by examining the mediating role of self-esteem and the moderating role of optimism in this relationship. A sample of 1205 Chinese undergraduate students completed measures of upward social comparison on SNSs, depressive symptoms, self-esteem, and optimism. Results showed that self-esteem partially mediated the relation between upward social comparison on SNSs and depressive symptoms. In addition, the direct effect of upward social comparison on SNSs on depressive symptoms and the mediating effect of self-esteem were both moderated by optimism. The two effects were more potent for individuals with low optimism than for those with high optimism. The present study contributes to a better understanding of how and when upward social comparison on SNSs increases the risk of depressive symptoms. Limitations and implications of this study are discussed.
- Subjects :
- Social comparison theory
Social network
business.industry
media_common.quotation_subject
05 social sciences
Self-esteem
050109 social psychology
050105 experimental psychology
Developmental psychology
Optimism
Moderated mediation
0501 psychology and cognitive sciences
Risk factor
business
Psychology
General Psychology
Depressive symptoms
media_common
Subjects
Details
- ISSN :
- 01918869
- Volume :
- 113
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- Personality and Individual Differences
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi...........7360f6ab386648d738d064f037dbded3