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The interplay between Facebook use, social comparison, envy, and depression

Appel, Helmut, Gerlach, Alexander L, Crusius, Jan·2016·Current Opinion in Psychology

DOI 10.1016/j.copsyc.2015.10.006

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Abstract

In their Facebook profiles, users communicate abundant social comparison information conveying mainly positive self-portrayals. Thereby, social networking sites like Facebook pro-vide a fertile ground for envy. This has been proposed as a mechanism for the potential negative effects of Facebook use on well-being and depression. This article reviews research on this process. Studies show that (especially passive) Facebook use indeed predicts different measures of social comparison as well as envy. In several studies social comparison or envy mediate a positive association between Facebook use and undesirable affective outcomes such as depression. However, causal relationships have not yet been sufficiently established. Methodological and conceptual variety across studies limits their comparability, but reveals viable ideas for future research.

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Authors: Appel, H., Gerlach, A. L., & Crusius, J.
Affiliations: University of Cologne (DE)
Corresponding author: Appel, Helmut
ORCID: Appel, Helmut
Gerlach, Alexander L
Crusius, Jan
Venue: Current Opinion in Psychology
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Published: 2016-06
Volume: 9
Pages: 44-49
ISSN: 2352-250X (ISSN-L)
DOI: 10.1016/j.copsyc.2015.10.006
OpenAlex: W1928177371
Cited by: 605
References: 61
Citations by year: 2026: 74 · 2025: 69 · 2024: 59 · 2023: 95 · 2022: 51 · 2021: 69 · 2020: 77 · 2019: 51 · 2018: 34 · 2017: 16 · 2016: 7
FWCI: 7.79
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: closed
Licence: www.elsevier.com/tdm/userlicense/1.0/ (tdm)
Locations: Current Opinion in Psychology (publishedVersion)
Kölner Universitäts PublikationsServer (Universität zu Köln) (publishedVersion)
Kölner Universitäts PublikationsServer (Universität zu Köln) (acceptedVersion)
Topics: Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Impact of Technology on Adolescents
Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Mental Health via Writing
Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Emotions and Moral Behavior
Keywords: Facebook use, social comparison, envy, depression, social networking sites, passive social media use, self-presentation, well-being, mediation

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The interplay between Facebook use, social comparison, envy, and depression

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