Fear of negative evaluation mediates and core self-evaluation moderates the relationship between social comparison orientation and social network addiction

Mental health problems among college students have become a pressing public health concern, with increasing evidence that excessive social media use exacerbates risks of anxiety, depression, and behavioral addictions. In the digital era, social comparison has intensified through online interactions, heightening students' sensitivity to peer evaluation and contributing to maladaptive outcomes such as social network addiction. To address this issue, the present study examined the relationship between social comparison orientation and social network addiction among Chinese college students, focusing on the mediating role of fear of negative evaluation and the moderating role of core self-evaluations. A questionnaire survey was conducted among 2,437 students from five universities in Huai'an City, Jiangsu Province, using validated scales for social comparison orientation, social network addiction, fear of negative evaluation, and core self-evaluation. Results revealed that social comparison orientation was positively associated with fear of negative evaluation and social network addiction, whereas core self-evaluations were negatively associated with these variables. Fear of negative evaluation mediated the effect of social comparison orientation on social network addiction, and core self-evaluations moderated both the direct and indirect effects. These findings underscore the importance of strengthening positive self-evaluations to buffer against the detrimental effects of excessive social comparison, offering practical implications for interventions aimed at promoting healthier social media use and protecting student mental health in the context of global public health challenges.