Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 7, 2025

Loneliness Assuaged: Eye-Tracking an Audience Watching Barrage Videos
Published on: May 29, 2020
Storing, Not Reading: Investigating the Link Between Upward Social Comparison via Social Media and Digital Hoarding
Yan Liu1, Xinli Chi2,3, Xuemin Xin4
1School of Media and Communication, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, People's Republic of China.
Background:
Digital hoarding has emerged as a pervasive psychological phenomenon and behavioral challenge among contemporary youth. This study focused on exploring the relationship between upward social comparison via social media, fear of missing out (FoMO), mindfulness, digital hoarding behavior, and its underlying mechanisms.
Methods:
A total of 927 young people participated in this cross-sectional study. Research instruments included the Social Comparison Scale, the Fear of Missing Out Scale, the Mindfulness Measure, and the Digital Hoarding Behavior Questionnaire. The data analysis comprised descriptive statistics and correlation analyses. Advanced analyses were conducted using Model 4 for mediation and Model 8 for moderation from the PROCESS macro.
Results:
(1) Upward social comparison via social media was a strong predictor of digital hoarding behavior, even after controlling for variables such as gender, age, and education. (2) FoMO mediated the relationship between upward social comparison via social media and digital hoarding. (3) Mindfulness moderated both the direct effect of upward social comparison via social media on digital hoarding and the first segment of the mediating role of FoMO.
Discussion:
The study further clarified the antecedents and psychological mechanisms that drive digital hoarding behavior. The findings contribute new perspectives for understanding the emerging concept of digital hoarding, while providing empirical evidence and valuable guidance for encouraging young adults to use social media responsibly and reduce impulsive hoarding tendencies.
More Related Videos
08:24The Joint Effect of Social Comparison and Social Distance on Evaluation of Intertemporal Choice Outcomes in Event-related Potential Studies
Published on: August 25, 2023
05:32Comparing Eye-tracking Data of Children with High-functioning ASD, Comorbid ADHD, and of a Control Watching Social Videos
Published on: December 7, 2018
Related Concept Videos
The Sense of Self: Reflected Self-Appraisal and Social Comparison
Self-Presentation: Self-Monitoring and Self-Handicapping
Self-Discrepancy Theory
Bullying
Self-Evaluation: Self-Enhancement and Self-Verification
Social Proof