Relationships between problematic social media use and social comparison: a meta-analysis
Abstract
We examined the relationship between problematic social media use (PSMU) and social comparison via a meta-analysis. We conducted a systematic literature review and meta-analysis. The study includes quantitative data from 20 independent studies published between January 2019 and October 2025 that examined the relationship between PSMU and social comparison. The studies encompassed adolescents, university students, and the general adult population from both individualistic and collectivist cultural contexts. Effect sizes were calculated using Fisher's z-transformation under a random-effects model. The results indicated a modest positive relationship between PSMU and social comparison, with an effect size (ES) of 0.24 (95% CI [0.13, 0.36]). Following the Trim-and-Fill adjustment, the effect size decreased slightly, but the overall pattern was preserved. Additional meta-analyses based on standardized regression coefficients showed that, when control variables were included, the association weakened but remained detectable (ES = 0.169, 95% CI [0.029, 0.309]). Effect sizes in unpublished studies were close to zero; however, this finding should be interpreted with caution, as it is based on a limited number of unpublished studies. A high degree of heterogeneity was observed across the analyses. Moderation and meta-regression analyses indicated that the relationship may vary depending on the type of social comparison scale, age, gender composition, and countries' Global Innovation…
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