Research Study: Tandoc, Ferrucci, Duffy (2015)

• a study into Facebook use, envy, and depression among college students: Is Facebooking depressing?
• Aim

  Tandoc et al., aimed to see whether depression (using the social rank theory) could be predicted by Facebook usage. They also aimed to see if using Facebook can lead to subordination (feeling of envy) which in turn can lead to depression.
• Methods:

  self-report, using an online survey, responses were coded into numerical form so that the researchers could statistically analyse them. 854 students from a large Midwestern university in the USA were invited to participate, only 736 chose to participate, 68% (500) were female and 32% (236) male. Average age was 19 years.
• Procedure

  completed the questionnaires and then submitted the online survey/questionnaires.
• Conclusion

  the use of Facebook does not directly lead to depression. Facebook envy can lead to depression. Surveillance on Facebook can lessen feelings of depression it does not lead to envy. Social rank theory offers a useful basis on which to understand how depression can occur in college age students.