Facebook use, envy, and depression among college students: Is facebooking depressing?

Highlights

• A survey of 736 college students found that Facebook use can trigger feelings of envy.

• Feelings of envy were found to predict depression symptoms.

• The effect of surveillance use of Facebook on depression is mediated by feelings of envy.

• Surveillance use of Facebook has a direct link to depression, but the link is actually negative.

Abstract

It is not—unless it triggers feelings of envy. This study uses the framework of social rank theory of depression and conceptualizes Facebook envy as a possible link between Facebook surveillance use and depression among college students. Using a survey of 736 college students, we found that the effect of surveillance use of Facebook on depression is mediated by Facebook envy. However, when Facebook envy is controlled for, Facebook use actually lessens depression.

Introduction

For young adults, the transition to college life can be daunting. It can mean gaining unprecedented freedom, moving far from home, making new platonic and romantic relationships, and enduring a large amount of homework and exams. Because of these factors and others, college students have been found to be particularly prone to depression (Mahmoud et al., 2012, Moreno et al., 2011, Moreno et al., 2012, Neighmond, 2011, Wright et al., 2012). Individuals between 18 and 24 years old were specifically found likely to suffer from depressive disorder symptoms, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC., 2011). Studies also found an increasing incidence of depression among college students in recent years (AP, 2010, Neighmond, 2011). A study in 2010 discovered that “five times as many high school and college students are dealing with anxiety and other mental health issues as youth of the same age who were studied in the Great Depression era” (AP, 2010).

Multiple factors likely contribute to the increase in incidence of depression including better diagnostics and attention paid by higher education health professionals to student wellbeing. However, policy makers and scholars have hypothesized that heavy use of online social networks such as Facebook and mobile technologies may contribute to the phenomenon (Chou and Edge, 2012, Jelenchick et al., 2013, Moreno et al., 2011, Soo Jeong et al., 2013). Facebook allows college students to express themselves by posting status updates, links, and photos. It also allows them to observe others’ online presence by keeping track of regular updates about their family, friends, classmates, and acquaintances (Ellison et al., 2007, Smock et al., 2011). But while Facebook has been shown to elicit happiness (Kim & Lee, 2011), it is also prone to problematic use, such as when young users post photos of them drinking or in sexually suggestive poses (Karl, Peluchette, & Schlaegel, 2010). Facebook also raises questions about privacy and deception (Carlson et al., 2004, Christofides et al., 2009, Debatin et al., 2009, Hong et al., 2012) and new studies argue whether or not heavy Facebook use can lead to depression (Jelenchick et al., 2013, Moreno et al., 2012, Wright et al., 2012).

The link between Facebook use and depression among college students is starting to attract scholarly attention, but scholars disagree about the nature of the relationship. Some have questioned whether the relationship exists at all. A study found a weak statistical association between internet use and depression, although the researchers concluded the relationship was unlikely to have major clinical significance (Moreno et al., 2012). Another study discovered that the number of hours students spend on Facebook was positively correlated with depression (Wright et al., 2012). However, another study found no link between Facebook use and depression, concluding that “advising adolescent patients or parents on the risks of ‘Facebook depression’ may be premature” (Jelenchick et al., 2013, p. 130). The present study aims to contribute to this growing area of important research by examining whether or not heavy Facebook use leads to depression among college students.