An exploratory analysis of social media social comparison and self-esteem within an Irish context

Aims: The current study sought to provide a greater understanding of social media social comparison within an Irish context. This study examined how upward and downward social comparison on social media associate with levels of self-esteem. This study also examined how social comparison of ability and social comparison of opinion on social media associate with levels of self-esteem. Method: A questionnaire was administered to participants (n=120) through social media which consisted of questions regarding upward and downward social comparisons on social media, an adapted version of The Iowa-Netherlands Comparison Orientation Scale (INCOM) and The Rosenberg Self-Esteem scale (RSES). Results: Results showed that upward social comparison and social comparison of ability were associated with lower levels of self-esteem. Downward social comparison and social comparison of opinion were not associated with self-esteem. Upward social comparison and social comparison of ability explained 25.9% of variance in self-esteem levels. Both variables were found to uniquely predict self-esteem levels to a statistically significantly level. Conclusion: Findings provide a greater understanding of the social comparison process among Irish social media users. Importantly, findings challenge the assumption that social comparison is detrimental and demonstrate the need to examine different forms of social comparison. On a practical level, findings have important implications regarding social media use