Facebook
use can lead to symptoms of depression if the social networking site
triggers feelings of envy among its users, a new study has found.
Researchers
at the University of Missouri said the way in which Facebook users use
the site makes a difference in how they respond to it.
“Facebook
can be a fun and healthy activity if users take advantage of the site
to stay connected with family and old friends and to share interesting
and important aspects of their lives,” said Margaret Duffy, a professor
and chair of strategic communication at the University of
Missouri-Columbia School of Journalism.
“However,
if Facebook is used to see how well an acquaintance is doing
financially or how happy an old friend is in his relationship – things
that cause envy among users – use of the site can lead to feelings of
depression,” Duffy added.
For
their study, Duffy and Edson Tandoc, a former doctoral student at MU
and now an assistant professor at Nanyang Technological University in
Singapore, surveyed young Facebook users. They found that some of those
who engage in “surveillance use” of Facebook also experience symptoms of
depression while those who use the site simply to stay connected do not
suffer negative effects.
Surveillance
use of Facebook occurs when users browse the website to see how their
friends are doing compared with their own lives. The researchers found
that Facebook postings about things such as expensive vacations, new
houses or cars, or happy relationships can evoke feelings of envy among
surveillance users.
They
said that these feelings of envy can then lead to Facebook users
experiencing symptoms of depression. “We found that if Facebook users
experience envy of the activities and lifestyles of their friends on
Facebook, they are much more likely to report feelings of depression,”
Duffy said.
“Facebook
can be a very positive resource for many people, but if it is used as a
way to size up one’s own accomplishments against others, it can have a
negative effect,” Duffy added.
“It
is important for Facebook users to be aware of these risks so they can
avoid this kind of behaviour when using Facebook,” Duffy said.
The study is published in the journal Computers in Human Behavior.
Posted by : Gizmeon
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