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ABSTRACT
An extensive body of work has explored the causal links between social media use, envy, and depression. However, the findings regarding the directional influence among these variables have been equivocal. This current study draws upon a three-wave longitudinal panel (N = 355) and focuses on the link between Facebook use and depression. Results from the cross-lagged panel analyses showed that increased Facebook use (t1) leads to increased depression (t2) which further leads to greater Facebook use (t3). This relationship is further enhanced when the role of envy is accounted for. Specifically, more Facebook use (t1) leads to greater users’ envy (t2) which leads to more depression (t3). Implications of the results are discussed.
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Edson C. Tandoc
Edson C. Tandoc Jr. is an Associate Professor at the Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information and Director of the Centre for Information Integrity and the Internet (IN-cube) at Nanyang Technological University Singapore. His studies have focused on the impact of journalistic roles, new technologies, and audience feedback on the news gatekeeping process. He has also looked at how readers make sense of critical incidents in journalism and take part in reconsidering journalistic norms; and how changing news consumption patterns facilitate the spread of fake news.
Zhang Hao Goh
Zhang Hao Goh is a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Centre for Information Integrity and the Internet (IN-cube) in Nanyang Technological University. His research focuses on IT users’ cognitive and protective behavioral responses toward information technology-related risks.