PASSIVE INSTAGRAM USE AND EMERGING INDIAN FEMALE ADULT WELLBEING: A MEDIATION ANALYSIS OF SOCIAL COMPARISON AND FOMO DURING COVID-19

Recent studies in cyberpsychology examined the phenomena of passive Social Networking Sites (SNSs) usage leading to social comparison and thereby leading to FoMO (Fear of Missing Out) George et al. (2019) in general. A review of prior research indicates that for women, but not for males, the relationships between social comparison and FOMO and self-perceived physical beauty were substantial Myers and Crowther (2009).The present study explores the relation between passive Instagram use, social comparison, and FoMO among the Emerging Indian female adults during the covid-19 pandemic. The study focuses on the SNS (Instagram) and its impact on age and gender by undertaking cross-sectional research. It takes into account a diverse sample of college students (N = 302, Mage = 18-25, SD age = between 4 to 5, 100% female). To assess participants' engagement in technology-based social comparisons and feedback-seeking behaviours on Instagram, an 11-item social comparison orientation (INCOM, Iowa-Netherlands comparison orientation scale) English version is used. Social comparison theory Festinger (1954) and Symbolic Interactionism are used to explain the study's results. The research outcome shows that there is a significant deviation in the mediation of social comparison and FoMO on the passive Instagram usage among the Emerging Indian Female Adults during the covid-19, While the studies conducted before the pandemic show otherwise George et al. (2019).