Paper Number

1211

Abstract

Social Networking Sites (SNS) have become integral parts of billions of individuals' everyday lives, enabling users to determine and evaluate themselves through social comparison processes permanently. Despite several studies on user behavior and its' psychological consequences, research on the relationship between SNS-use, social comparison, and subjective well-being (SWB) has postulated relevant yet ambiguous results. To close this research gap, we developed and empirically tested a conceptual model (n = 651 SNS-users). Our results reveal strong associations between social comparisons, rumination, reflection, identity distress, identity clarity, self-esteem and SWB. Furthermore, we identify that rumination, identity distress, identity clarity, and self-esteem mediate the relationship between SWB and social comparison of abilities but not opinions. Besides providing critical theoretical and practical contributions through this study, the findings open the road to a new and enhanced comprehension of how self-determining processes impact human beings' thinking and behavior in information systems like SNS.

Share

COinS
 

When commenting on articles, please be friendly, welcoming, respectful and abide by the AIS eLibrary Discussion Thread Code of Conduct posted here.