This 14-day diary study among 200 youths (ages 10-14) examined within- and between-person associations of social media use (Instagram, TikTok, YouTube), subjective well-being, and upward social comparisons. Multilevel structural equation models revealed that social media use was linked to lower positive and higher negative self-worth daily, and upward social comparisons diminished well-being across all dimensions. Upward social comparisons partially mediated the effect of social media use on well-being at both levels. Youths' feelings of others being better off may explain inconsistencies in prior research.
Publisher
Communications Psychology
Published On
Aug 22, 2023
Authors
Andrea Irmer, Florian Schmiedek
Tags
social media
well-being
upward comparisons
youth
self-worth
Instagram
TikTok
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