The research study utilized Pearson correlation and two-way ANOVA. The descriptive statistics from the analysis shows that the post frequency for those who frequently post with high social comparison has (M = 30.44, SD = 7.70). The post frequency for those who post frequently than the low social comparison group has (M = 29.25, SD = 2.12). The post frequency group who do not frequently post with high social comparison have (M = 27.50, SD = 6.36). The post frequency group who do not frequently post with low social comparison has (M = 28.33, SD = 6.43).
The Pearson correlation analysis was performed to identify the relationship between self-esteem and the questions used to report social media usage. Self-esteem and “I use social networking sites for sharing pictures” has a weak positive correlation, r (22) =.347, p =.114. Self-esteem and “I use social networking sites to look at funny sharing’s/posts” has a weak negative correlation, r (21) = -.275, p =.228. Self-esteem and “I use social networking sites for watching movies” has a weak negative correlation, r (21) = -.333, p =.140. Self-esteem and “I use social networking for gratification” has a weak positive correlation, r (21) =.218, p =.342.
Self-esteem and “How often do you post?” has a moderate positive correlation, r (22) =.402, p =.064. Self-esteem and “Do you ever feel worse after going on social media?” has a very weak negative correlation, r (22) = -.066, p =.770. Self-esteem and “Do you care about how many people view or like your posts?” has a very weak positive correlation, r (22) =.050, p =.825. Self-esteem and “Do you feel confident or well-liked based on the number of likes you get on a post?” have a very negative correlation, r (22) = -.106, p =.637. Self-esteem and “How often do you compare yourself to people you follow?” have a very positive correlation, r (22) =.003, p =.991.
The correlation analysis shows that some of the questions portray weak and very weak positive correlations with self-esteem. These questions include using social networking sites to share pictures, frequency of the respondent posts, caring when people view or like posts, and frequency of the respondent comparing themselves to the people they follow. The following questions portray negative correlations between self-esteem and the questions. Using social networking sites to share funny posts, feeling worse when on social media, using social networking sites for watching movies, and feeling confident or well-liked based on the posts.
The two-way ANOVA analysis results show that the post frequency binary F (1, 18) =.40, p =.54 is not significant as the p-value is greater than.05. The social comparison F (1, 18) =.003, p =.95 is not significant as the p-value is less than.05. The interaction between the post frequency binary and the social comparison F (1, 18) =.11, p =.74 is not significant the p-value is greater than.05. The p-value from the ANOVA analysis results rejects the hypothesis post frequency, and social comparison plays a role in self-esteem. The independent variables post frequency binary, social comparison, and the interactions are not significant, implying that the two variables do not significantly predict the outcome of the self-esteem between the social media users.