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dc.rights.licenseCC-BY-NC-ND
dc.contributor.advisorTimmeren, T. van
dc.contributor.authorDörfling, Diana
dc.date.accessioned2025-08-21T00:03:06Z
dc.date.available2025-08-21T00:03:06Z
dc.date.issued2025
dc.identifier.urihttps://studenttheses.uu.nl/handle/20.500.12932/49840
dc.description.abstractSocial media use has been increasingly linked to reduced mental well-being, with upward social comparisons playing a key role in this relationship by triggering negative emotional responses such as envy and depressive feelings, collectively referred to as upward contrastive emotions (UCE). This study experimentally investigated whether a short social media detox could reduce UCE and improve mental well-being, and whether these effects were moderated by individuals’ ability-based social comparison orientation (SCOA). A total of 69 participants aged 18–25 were randomly assigned to a 7-day detox (n = 34) or control group (n = 35). Participants completed pre- and post-intervention surveys measuring UCE, mental well-being, and SCOA. Results showed that the detox significantly reduced UCE, especially for individuals high in SCOA. Moderated mediation analysis revealed that reductions in UCE partially explained improvements in mental well-being, but only among participants with average or high SCOA. These findings provide experimental evidence that taking a short break from social media can interrupt harmful emotional comparison cycles and enhance well-being, particularly for individuals prone to ability-based comparisons.
dc.description.sponsorshipUtrecht University
dc.language.isoEN
dc.subjectThis thesis investigates whether taking a short break from social media (a 7-day detox) can reduce negative emotional responses triggered by upward social comparisons, specifically envy and depressive feelings (called upward contrastive emotions or UCE), and improve mental well-being. It also explores whether people who are more prone to comparing their abilities to others (high in ability-based social comparison orientation, SCOA) are more affected by the detox.
dc.titleFeeling Less Envious and Depressed After Logging Off: How Comparison Tendencies Shape Emotional Relief and Indirect Well-Being Gains
dc.type.contentMaster Thesis
dc.rights.accessrightsOpen Access
dc.subject.keywordssocial media detox; upward contrastive emotions; social comparison orientation; mental well-being, envy; depressive feelings
dc.subject.courseuuSocial, Health and Organisational Psychology
dc.thesis.id52222


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