The mediation effect of negative social comparison on social networking site participation and rumination

• Main Authors: Alano, Isabel Anne M., Arenas, Louise Mari G., Lanuza, Alyzandra Beatriz B., Yunzal, Steffi Marsheil C.
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 2016
• Subjects: Social comparison > Philippines; Social networks > Philippines; Rumination; Psychology
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_bachelors/8901
• Institution: De La Salle University

A survey of 287 emerging adults and adults were conducted around Metro Manila, Laguna, and Cavite to investigate the relationship among social network sites participation, negative social comparison, and rumination. It was hypothesized that the relationship between social networking sites participation and rumination was mediated by negative and social comparison. Using a simple regression analysis, it was found that social networking sites participation significantly predicted rumination. A simple mediation analysis, using the Process Macro plugin, showed that social network participation did not predict rumination once negative social comparison was integrated in the model. Therefore, negative social comparison is a mediating variable between social network participation and rumination. Mediation analysis results show that negative social comparison, as a result of social networking sites participation (SNS), is a predictor of rumination. Along with this, age differences based on developmental stages has no effect on the relationship of social networking sites participation, negative social comparison, and rumination. The discussion of the findings focus on the implications of the result on avid SNS users, psychological therapy, and theoretical boundaries.