First Advisor

Brianne Suldovsky

Term of Graduation

Summer 2020

Date of Publication

9-4-2020

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (M.S.) in Communication

Department

Communication

Language

English

Subjects

Instagram (Electronic resource), Social comparison, Loneliness, Social media -- Psychological aspects, Online social networks -- Psychological aspects

DOI

10.15760/etd.7445

Physical Description

1 online resource (ii, 31 pages)

Abstract

Since its invention, the use of Instagram and its psychological effect on users has been a topic of conversation for researchers. To achieve a better understanding of Instagram's effect on loneliness, it's important to isolate different behaviors on Instagram because of its different attributes as a social media app. Drawing on literature on the emotional effects of social media use and social comparison orientation (SCO), this study takes a closer look at specific Instagram behaviors: broadcasting, interacting, and browsing as well as SCO's relationship with loneliness. A total of 147 undergraduate students attending a university in the Pacific Northwest completed a self-report survey about their feelings of loneliness, social comparison, and Instagram use. Findings showed that Instagram interaction and low SCO were both related to lower loneliness. There was no significant relationship between Instagram use as a whole, broadcasting, and browsing behaviors on feelings of loneliness. Implications and opportunities for future research are discussed.

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In Copyright. URI: http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).

Persistent Identifier

https://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/33871

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