Psychological Impacts of Instagram Use: The Interplay of Social Comparison, Self-Esteem, and Anxiety

Excessive Instagram use has been linked to negative effects on psychological well-being, particularly through Social Comparison, Self-Esteem, and Anxiety. This study surveyed 424 Instagram users aged 18 to 40 in Chile. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) showed that higher Instagram Use (IU) positively correlates with Social Comparison (SC), which strongly predicts Shared Content Anxiety (SCA) and Self-Evaluation Anxiety (SEA) and negatively affects Self-Esteem (SE). The direct effect of IU on SCA is significant but weaker, while IU does not significantly impact SEA or SE. An Artificial Neural Network (ANN) provided complementary predictive evidence regarding the relative importance of social comparison and Instagram use dimensions. By integrating SEM and ANN, this study provides a comprehensive view of how Instagram use shapes mental health. In line with previous research, these results highlight the necessity of digital literacy and mindful social media use to mitigate negative outcomes, especially among younger adults susceptible to self-perception issues. They are contextualized within existing literature, calling for further research on social media's long-term effects. Overall, the findings offer a nuanced perspective on how Instagram Use, Social Comparison, and Self-Esteem interrelate to influence anxiety and well-being, underscoring the platform's potential to exacerbate vulnerabilities in emotional health.