There are several possible mental health risks associated with using social media. Despite numerous studies over the years linking social media use (SMU) to depression (D), there are few that specifically address the relationship between these two factors in young adult Filipinos and how social comparison (SC) explains the link in their relationship. The study aims to see the role of social comparison (SC) in explaining the increase or decrease of depressive symptoms in Filipino young adults when exposed to higher screen time of social media use. This research utilized a structural equation modeling technique. The appropriateness of the instruments, socio-economic profile, The Iowa-Netherlands Comparison Orientation Measure (INCOM), The Social Media Use Integration Scale (SMUIS), and The Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) were tested using confirmatory factor analysis. The initial findings show that social comparison (SC) mediates the causal relationship between social media use (SMU), (SMU → SC, β = .416) and depression (D) (SC → D, β = .407) of Filipino young adults. Among the dimensions of SMU, social Integration and emotional connection (SIEC) indicated a greater impact (β = .781) than social routine (SR). While the ability dimension (β = .984) reflected a very strong contribution to SC than the opinion dimension (β = .338). Understanding the relationship between the variables and explaining how each impacts an individual may pave the way for developing psychological intervention programs on how to deal with mental health concerns brought about by social comparison from social media use.

Authors:
Alysa Maroon Garcia, University of Santo Tomas, Philippines
Lucila Bance, University of Santo Tomas, Philippines

About the Presenter(s)
Alysa Maroon Garcia is currently employed in the Philippines as a Behavioral Therapist at Teamworks ABA Therapy, Inc. and as an online peer support moderator at Supportiv in Berkeley, California, United States.

See this presentation on the full schedule – Wednesday Schedule

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