Facebook use, envy, and depression among college students: Is facebooking depressing?

Edson C. Tandoc, Patrick Ferrucci, Margaret Duffy

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

485 Scopus citations

Abstract

It is not-unless it triggers feelings of envy. This study uses the framework of social rank theory of depression and conceptualizes Facebook envy as a possible link between Facebook surveillance use and depression among college students. Using a survey of 736 college students, we found that the effect of surveillance use of Facebook on depression is mediated by Facebook envy. However, when Facebook envy is controlled for, Facebook use actually lessens depression.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)139-146
Number of pages8
JournalComputers in Human Behavior
Volume43
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 2015

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Keywords

  • Depression
  • Envy
  • Facebook
  • Social media
  • Students

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