What: A new research study by the University of Missouri-Columbia suggests that Facebook causes deppression, in light of the results after putting about 700 students through a series of tests.
Why: Signs of depression appeared when users, specially those who “surveil” the net and feel envy towards their Facebook friends. In fact, the more someone uses Facebook, the more depressed he or she becomes.
A recent survey of 700 students carried out by University of Missouri-Columbia researchers and drug treatment orlando proves that Facebook causes depression. How? By being envious of your Facebook friends.And the more someone uses it, the more depressed he or she becomes. The study appeared in the journal Computers in Human Behavior.
People’s moods fluctuate depending on their Facebook usage. Users who engage in “surveillance use” – “brows[ing] the website to see how their friends are doing compared with their own lives” – versus those who simply use the social net to contact friends and family can experience symptoms of depression, the study suggests.
On the surface, Facebook provides an invaluable resource for fulfilling needs by allowing people to instantly connect…Rather than enhancing well-being. Facebook photos of your friends on vacation or high-price purchases can not only cause someone depression, but also social envy.
“We found that if Facebook users experience envy of the activities and lifestyles of their friends on Facebook, they are much more likely to report feelings of depression,” said Margaret Duffy, a professor at the MU School of Journalism. “Facebook can be a very positive resource for many people, but if it is used as a way to size up one’s own accomplishments against others, it can have a negative effect. It is important for Facebook users to be aware of these risks so they can avoid this kind of behavior when using Facebook.”
Usually, one of the causes of Facebook frustration comes from users comparing themselves socially to their peers, while for other is the dissatisfaction from having fewer comments, likes and general feedback compared to friends.
“We found that if Facebook users experience envy of the activities and lifestyles of their friends on Facebook, they are much more likely to report feelings of depression,” said Duffy.
it seems, however, that still the positive effects of being socially connected surpass the negative consequences of feeling inferior ordeppressed.But this data, could help people who find themselves obsessed with social media to find the reason why they feel so awful. This could be it.
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