The impact of social media usege on consumer well-being: the mediating roles of perceived social comparison, exposure to nutrition-focused content, impulsive buying behaviour.

Monnier, ArnaudMarsella, Matilde2026-02-272026-02-272025-06-162025-05-16http://hdl.handle.net/10362/200718This study investigates how specific social media content—social comparison, nutrition-focused posts, and impulsive-buying promotions—affects consumer well-being. An experimental design revealed that exposure to idealized content significantly increased perceived inadequacy, health anxiety, and fear of missing out (FOMO). Mediation analyses showed no indirect effects, suggesting users may not fully recognize content-driven impacts—a form of identity dissonance. Moderators like life satisfaction and financial self-control did not consistently buffer these effects. Findings emphasize the role of person-content interactions over screen time and highlight implications for digital literacy and algorithm design.engSocial media usageConsumer well-beingPerceived social comparisonNutrition-focused contentImpulsive buying behaviorThe impact of social media usege on consumer well-being: the mediating roles of perceived social comparison, exposure to nutrition-focused content, impulsive buying behaviour.master thesis204130077