Social Comparison on Facebook, its Influence on State Self-Esteem and the Role of Public
Self-Consciousness Vivian Agopian

Abstract
With the pervasive use of Facebook, users are exposed to others’ information and are prone to make social comparison, as per the Social Comparison Theory, influencing their self-evaluation. This study hypothesized that teenagers make more upward social comparison with superior others, than downward, causing them to have lower state self-esteem. This study also posited that high public self-conscious teenagers, who are concerned about their self-portrayal, make more upward comparison, and experience lower state self-esteem. Further, this study posited that the positive association between upward comparison and lower state self-esteem increases by high public self-consciousness. The survey data was gathered from a purposive sample (N = 183) of students from five secondary schools. The results supported all the hypotheses: namely, a negative association between social comparison and state self-esteem; and the moderating role of high public self-consciousness in this association. Findings were discussed, implications, limitations and suggestions for future research stated.

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