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Facebook use and individual well-being: Like me to make me happier!
[Usage de Facebook et satisfaction : les Likes font-ils notre bonheur ?]

Author

Listed:
  • Alexandre Mayol

    (PJSE - Paris Jourdan Sciences Economiques - UP1 - Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne - ENS-PSL - École normale supérieure - Paris - PSL - Université Paris Sciences et Lettres - INRA - Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique - EHESS - École des hautes études en sciences sociales - ENPC - École des Ponts ParisTech - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique)

  • Thierry Pénard

    (CREM - Centre de recherche en économie et management - UNICAEN - Université de Caen Normandie - NU - Normandie Université - UR - Université de Rennes - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique)

Abstract

This article aims to study how Facebook use influences individual well-being. We conducted a survey on a representative sample of 2,000 French Facebook users. Our results showed that Facebook interferes with subjective well-being through its effects on friendships, self-esteem and social comparison. Hence, we found a positive relationship between receiving a large number of "Likes" and comments from Facebook friends and level of life satisfaction. In contrast, people that did not receive as many "Likes" as they hoped for tended to be more unsatisfied with their life. The latter result suggests that Facebook use can exacerbate frustration and envy. Our findings underline the ambivalence of Facebook use—which has both positive and negative psychological effects on well-being—and raise questions about the viability of Facebook if it cannot satisfy all of its users.‪

Suggested Citation

  • Alexandre Mayol & Thierry Pénard, 2017. "Facebook use and individual well-being: Like me to make me happier! [Usage de Facebook et satisfaction : les Likes font-ils notre bonheur ?]," PSE-Ecole d'économie de Paris (Postprint) halshs-01806504, HAL.
    • Handle: RePEc:hal:pseptp:halshs-01806504
    DOI: 10.4000/rei.6570
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    1. Thierry Pénard & Nicolas Poussing, 2010. "Internet Use and Social Capital: The Strength of Virtual Ties," Journal of Economic Issues, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 44(3), pages 569-595.
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