Exploring the impact of social media use on psychological and physical health

Abstract

Background: Social networking activity is growing and yet little is known about how this affects our health perceptions. This study sought to determine in what way people who use Face Book (FB) interpret the information they read and whether this was associated with their psychological and physical health. Methods: Using a cross-sectional design, an electronic questionnaire measured FB use, FB social comparison, self-esteem, depression, anxiety, reported physical symptoms, and life satisfaction. Members of the public (n = 162; age M=31 years; 67% female) were recruited using snowballing via FB. The data was analysed using Hierarchical Multiple Regression. Findings: More upward positive comparison (M=9.09; SD=2.44) was experienced, followed closely by downward positive (M=8.92; SD=2.35), and upward negative (M=8.28; SD=3.14), with downward negative perceived least (M=6.29; SD=2.35). Regression analysis showed life satisfaction (R2=.51) was associated with: downward positive FB information (β=.161*), upward negative (β=-.350***), and downward negative (β=.296 ***). Self-esteem (R2=.62) was associated with upward positive (β=.137*) and downward negative (β=-.130*). Anxiety (R2=.57) was associated with upward negative (β=.314***), depression (R2=.53) with downward negative (β=.188**), and symptoms (R2=.45) were associated with upward positive (β=.227*). Discussion: Negative interpretations were associated with poorer psychological health and positive interpretations with better psychological health. Physical health was positively associated with positive interpretations indicating that upward comparison may be a coping strategy for people with more symptoms. These results have implications for perceptions of well-being for general users of FB and for vulnerable populations, such as those living with chronic illness, where more social comparison may occur.