Facebook, Social Comparison, and Subjective Well-Being: An Examination of the Interaction Between Active and Passive Facebook Use on Subjective Well-Being

Jessica J. Joseph

Source Title: The Psychology and Dynamics Behind Social Media Interactions

ISBN13: 9781522594123|ISBN10: 1522594124|ISBN13 Softcover: 9781522594130|EISBN13: 9781522594147

DOI: 10.4018/978-1-5225-9412-3.ch011

MLA

Joseph, Jessica J. "Facebook, Social Comparison, and Subjective Well-Being: An Examination of the Interaction Between Active and Passive Facebook Use on Subjective Well-Being." The Psychology and Dynamics Behind Social Media Interactions, edited by Malinda Desjarlais, IGI Global, 2020, pp. 1-21. https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-5225-9412-3.ch011

APA

Joseph, J. J. (2020). Facebook, Social Comparison, and Subjective Well-Being: An Examination of the Interaction Between Active and Passive Facebook Use on Subjective Well-Being. In M. Desjarlais (Ed.), The Psychology and Dynamics Behind Social Media Interactions (pp. 1-21). IGI Global. https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-5225-9412-3.ch011

Chicago

Joseph, Jessica J. "Facebook, Social Comparison, and Subjective Well-Being: An Examination of the Interaction Between Active and Passive Facebook Use on Subjective Well-Being." In The Psychology and Dynamics Behind Social Media Interactions, edited by Malinda Desjarlais, 1-21. Hershey, PA: IGI Global, 2020. https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-5225-9412-3.ch011

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Abstract

Facebook use has implications for subjective well-being. Previous research has revealed that passive Facebook use is typically related to deficits in subjective well-being, which is thought to be linked through upward social comparison. In contrast, active Facebook use is typically related to enhancements in subjective well-being. The main objective of the present study was to synthesize findings related to Facebook use and subjective well-being and to expand by proposing and testing whether the benefits associated with active Facebook use compensate for the negative effects associated with passive use. The second objective was to discuss policy and research directions. A total of 310 undergraduate students completed an online survey with questions regarding Facebook use, social comparison, and subjective well-being. Bootstrapping analyses revealed that active Facebook use did not buffer the negative effects for subjective well-being that occur during passive Facebook use. Recommendations for future research and education programs are discussed.