How We Compare Matters: Distinct Pathways from Ability and Opinion Comparisons to Problematic Social Networking Use

Problematic social networking site use (PSNSU) has become a growing concern among young adults, given its various negative psychological and behavioral outcomes. Although social comparison has been recognized as a key intrapersonal predictor of PSNSU, research on the mechanisms through which different types of social comparison—ability and opinion comparison—are associated with PSNSU remains limited. An online survey of 1002 Chinese college students revealed distinct associations for the two types of social comparison. Mediation analysis indicated that ability comparison showed a positive direct association with PSNSU (B = 0.16, 95% CI [0.07, 0.26]), as well as positive indirect associations through perceived social isolation (B = 0.16, 95% CI [0.11, 0.20]) and relative deprivation (B = 0.09, 95% CI [0.04, 0.15]). In contrast, opinion comparison showed a positive direct association with PSNSU (B = 0.22, 95% CI [0.05, 0.40]) but negative indirect associations through perceived social isolation (B = −0.17, 95% CI [−0.26, −0.10]) and relative deprivation (B = −0.08, 95% CI [−0.16, −0.03]). These findings highlight the contrasting associations of opinion comparison orientation with PSNSU and offer potential implications for PSNSU prevention and intervention.