Philippine E-Journals

Social Comparison on Facebook, Rumination, and Coping Styles Among Young Adults with Symptoms of Depression during Covid-19 Pandemic

Charry M. Sison

Discipline: psychology (non-specific)

 

Abstract:

This study examined the relationships among social comparison on Fa-cebook, rumination, coping styles, and depressive symptoms among uni-versity students, with the aim of informing a targeted campus-based in-tervention. Using a descriptive-correlational design, data were collected from 336 respondents and analyzed through descriptive statistics, group difference testing, and Pearson correlation. Results revealed that a sub-stantial proportion of students experienced moderate to severe depres-sive symptoms. Social comparison was positively and significantly asso-ciated with rumination, while rumination demonstrated significant rela-tionships with problem-focused, emotion-focused, and avoidant coping styles. Level of depression emerged as a significant factor influencing so-cial comparison, rumination, and coping patterns, suggesting that psy-chological condition plays a stronger role than demographic characteris-tics in shaping cognitive and behavioral responses. The findings indicate that repetitive negative thinking serves as a central mechanism linking social comparison and emotional distress. Grounded in these results, an innovative intervention framework titled CAMPUS CAREquest was de-veloped to address the cognitive, behavioral, and environmental factors identified in the study. The program integrates mindfulness-based cogni-tive awareness, digital comparison moderation, resilience-focused cop-ing enhancement, and stigma-reduction strategies to promote a support-ive campus climate. By targeting rumination and maladaptive compari-son while strengthening adaptive coping and peer support systems, the intervention seeks to reduce depressive symptoms and foster long-term psychological resilience. The study contributes to the growing body of lit-erature on social media use and student mental health and offers a data-driven, contextually grounded model for institutional mental health pro-motion in higher education settings.