Passive social network site use and adolescent materialism: Upward social comparison as a mediator

We examined the role of upward social comparison in the relationship between passive social network site use and adolescent materialism. A sample of 718 Chinese adolescents completed measures of passive social network site use, upward social comparison, and materialism. Correlational analysis results showed that passive social network site use was significantly correlated with upward social comparison and adolescent materialism. In addition, regression analysis results showed that passive social network site use significantly predicted adolescent materialism through the mediation of upward social comparison. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.