Location

Room 232, Schewel Hall

Access Type

Open Access

Presentation Type

Oral presentation

Entry Number

73

Start Date

4-16-2026 9:15 AM

End Date

4-16-2026 9:30 AM

School

School of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Department

Psychology

Abstract

Social media has quickly become a main source of entertainment that may have more damaging effects than one may expect. For specifically women, it is important to understand how the use and comparison of exposing oneself to the life of other influencers, family members, and friends affect self-esteem, depression, and FOMO. Previous research has shown the damaging effects of other social media sites such as Facebook, and the way comparing oneself to others has an impact on these variables. It is important to focus on women in this topic as they are more susceptible to damaging effects through comparison. Along with the multimillion users on the Instagram platform, the site is worth a further examination. The present study had a sample of 79 females attending University who had been on Instagram for at least one month prior to conducting a survey. The average age of females used for this study was 19.The present study found a significant positive relationship between frequency of comparison and depression and fomo, and a significant negative correlation with self-esteem. It is important to understand that the more females use and compare themselves to others they see on social media, the likelihood of depression, FOMO, and lower self-esteem for them.

Primary Faculty Mentor(s)

Dr. Marciano

Primary Faculty Mentor(s) Department

Psychology

Rights Statement

The right to download or print any portion of this material is granted by the copyright owner only for personal or educational use. The author/creator retains all proprietary rights, including copyright ownership. Any editing, other reproduction or other use of this material by any means requires the express written permission of the copyright owner. Except as provided above, or for any other use that is allowed by fair use (Title 17, §107 U.S.C.), you may not reproduce, republish, post, transmit or distribute any material from this web site in any physical or digital form without the permission of the copyright owner of the material.

Share

COinS
 
Apr 16th, 9:15 AM Apr 16th, 9:30 AM

Effects of Social Media Comparisons on State Self-Esteem, Fomo, and Depression in Young Adult Women

Room 232, Schewel Hall

Social media has quickly become a main source of entertainment that may have more damaging effects than one may expect. For specifically women, it is important to understand how the use and comparison of exposing oneself to the life of other influencers, family members, and friends affect self-esteem, depression, and FOMO. Previous research has shown the damaging effects of other social media sites such as Facebook, and the way comparing oneself to others has an impact on these variables. It is important to focus on women in this topic as they are more susceptible to damaging effects through comparison. Along with the multimillion users on the Instagram platform, the site is worth a further examination. The present study had a sample of 79 females attending University who had been on Instagram for at least one month prior to conducting a survey. The average age of females used for this study was 19.The present study found a significant positive relationship between frequency of comparison and depression and fomo, and a significant negative correlation with self-esteem. It is important to understand that the more females use and compare themselves to others they see on social media, the likelihood of depression, FOMO, and lower self-esteem for them.