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Understanding the Behavioral Consequences of Upward Social Comparison on Social Networking Sites: The Mediating Role of Emotions

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  • Jaeyoung Park

    (Graduate School of Information, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Korea)

  • Beomsoo Kim

    (Graduate School of Information, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Korea)

  • Sunhee Park

    (Barun ICT Research Center, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Korea)

Abstract

With the increase in upward social comparison occurring on social networking sites (SNSs) globally, SNS researchers have examined the impact of upward social comparison. However, they focused mainly on psychological outcomes (e.g., well-being). To extend the existing studies, this study investigates the behavioral consequences of upward social comparison through the underlying mechanisms of emotions. Drawing on Smith’s typology of social comparison-based emotions, we developed a conceptual model that integrates upward social comparison on Instagram, upward comparison emotions (upward contrastive emotions and upward assimilative emotions), and the behavioral responses (SNS discontinuance, posting of comments). A structural equation modeling analysis revealed that upward social comparison in Instagram usage provoked upward contrastive emotions including anger, depression, and envy, which, in turn, induced Instagram discontinuance and the posting of malicious comments on Instagram. Additionally, upward assimilative emotions including admiration, optimism, and inspiration triggered the posting of favorable comments on Instagram. This study enhances our understanding of SNS social comparison by revealing how upward social comparison on Instagram is related to behavioral consequences.

Suggested Citation

  • Jaeyoung Park & Beomsoo Kim & Sunhee Park, 2021. "Understanding the Behavioral Consequences of Upward Social Comparison on Social Networking Sites: The Mediating Role of Emotions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-14, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:11:p:5781-:d:559247
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    3. Krasnova, Hanna & Widjaja, Thomas & Buxmann, Peter & Wenninger, Helena & Benbasat, Izak, 2015. "Research Note—Why Following Friends Can Hurt You: An Exploratory Investigation of the Effects of Envy on Social Networking Sites among College-Age Users," Publications of Darmstadt Technical University, Institute for Business Studies (BWL) 73319, Darmstadt Technical University, Department of Business Administration, Economics and Law, Institute for Business Studies (BWL).
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    Cited by:

    1. Yi Li & Yunhan Lin, 2023. "Too Defeated to Work? The Effects of Dispatched Employees’ Upward Social Comparison on Time Theft," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(18), pages 1-16, September.
    2. Chaeyoung Lim & Jongchang Ahn, 2021. "Social Overload and Discontinuance Intention on Facebook: A Comparative Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(22), pages 1-17, November.

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