How do you feel about your friends? Understanding situational envy in online social networks

an article by Linda Wallace and Tabitha L.James (Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA) and Merrill Warkentin (Mississippi State University, MS, USA) published in Information & Management Volume 54 Issue 5 (July 2017)

Abstract

Online social networks (OSNs) offer a stream of information that readily provides comparison opportunities, often resulting in feelings of envy.

Two factors that drive OSN-situational envy (OSN-SE) are a user’s personality and needs.

Leveraging the five-factor model of personality and uses and gratifications theory, we explore how personality traits and OSN use affect OSN-SE.

Data from 625 survey responses indicate that Facebook users experience greater OSN-SE when they exhibit neuroticism and use Facebook to gratify needs to gather information, seek attention, or pass time, suggesting that envy-prone users should use OSN for specific purposes and avoid passive pursuits.

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