Thesis
Exploring the Associations between Instagram Use and Depressive Symptoms: A Replication with Extension
(2018)
Abstract
Today, social media platforms continue to grow. Users of these platforms are also spending extended periods of time on them. Researchers in the literature are finding that social media use can have detrimental effects on a user’s wellbeing. This study is a replication with extension of a 2015 study by Lup, Trub, and Rosenthal. This study uses a moderated mediation model to explore the association between Instagram use and depressive symptoms through negative social comparison and moderated by amount of strangers followed and type of Instagram use. One hundred and forty two participants between the ages of 18-29 completed anonymous online questionnaires. This questionnaire measured demographic information, frequency of Instagram use, amount of strangers followed, social comparison, depression symptomology, and type of use. Instagram use mediated by social comparison and moderated by type of Instagram use was a significant indicator of depressive symptoms.
Keywords
- Instagram,
- depressive symptoms,
- social comparison,
- type of use
Disciplines
Publication Date
Spring April, 2018
Degree
BA
Field of study
Psychology
Department
Psychology
Advisor
Reed M. Mueller, PhD
Citation Information
Jasmine Bruner. "Exploring the Associations between Instagram Use and Depressive Symptoms: A Replication with Extension" (2018) Available at: http://works.bepress.com/r-mueller/48/