In a new study, researchers at the
University of Missouri have found that Facebook use can lead to symptoms of
depression if the social networking site triggers feelings of envy among its
users.
Margaret Duffy, Ph.D., a professor
and chair of strategic communication at the University of Missouri School of
Journalism, said how Facebook users use the site makes a difference in how they
respond to it.
“Facebook can be a fun and healthy
activity if users take advantage of the site to stay connected with family and
old friends and to share interesting and important aspects of their lives,”
Duffy said.
“However, if Facebook is used to see
how well an acquaintance is doing financially or how happy an old friend is in
his relationship, things that cause envy among users, use of the site can lead
to feelings of depression.”
In the study, Duffy and Dr. Edson
Tandoc, an assistant professor at Nanyang Technological University in
Singapore, surveyed young Facebook users and found that some of those who
engage in “surveillance use” of Facebook also experience symptoms of
depression.
However, those who use the site
simply to stay connected do not suffer negative effects.
Surveillance use of Facebook occurs
when users browse the website to see how their friends are doing compared with
their own lives.
The researchers found that Facebook
postings about things such as expensive vacations, new houses or cars, or happy
relationships can evoke feelings of envy among surveillance users. They say
that these feelings of envy can then lead to Facebook users experiencing
symptoms of depression.
“We found that if Facebook users
experience envy of the activities and lifestyles of their friends on Facebook,
they are much more likely to report feelings of depression,” Duffy said.
“Facebook can be a very positive
resource for many people, but if it is used as a way to size up one’s own
accomplishments against others, it can have a negative effect. It is important
for Facebook users to be aware of these risks so they can avoid this kind of
behavior when using Facebook.”
“Social media literacy is
important,” Tandoc said.
“Based on our study, as well as on
what others have previously found, using Facebook can exert positive effects on
well-being. But when it triggers envy among users, that’s a different story.
“Users should be self-aware that
positive self-presentation is an important motivation in using social media, so
it is to be expected that many users would only post positive things about
themselves. This self-awareness, hopefully, can lessen feelings of envy.”
Source: University of
Missouri-Columbia/EurekAlert
Reference
Nauert, R. (2015). Envy on Facebook May Trigger Depression. Psych Central.
Retrieved on February 4, 2015, from
http://psychcentral.com/news/2015/02/04/envy-on-facebook-may-trigger-depression/80764.html
