Upward State Social Comparison, Fear of Missing Out, Impression Management Efficacy, and Self-Concept Clarity Among University Students on Social Media Use

Harshithaa M J; Soumya Simon

doi:10.63363/aijfr.2026.v07i02.3992

Upward State Social Comparison, Fear of Missing Out, Impression Management Efficacy, and Self-Concept Clarity Among University Students on Social Media Use

Author(s)	Ms. Harshithaa M J, Ms. Soumya Simon
Country	India
Abstract	Social media has evolved into a primary stage for youth to share their views, get connected with others, and build their identity. This study explored the connection of upward social comparison (USSC), fear of missing out (FOMO), impression management efficacy (IME), and self-concept clarity (SCC) among students of the university in India. Based on the Social Comparison Theory and identity-based perspectives, a quantitative, cross-sectional research design was used. 350 undergraduate and postgraduate students aged 18–25 years were selected through convenience sampling. Psychological standardised scales were administered, and the data were recorded and analysed in Jamovi 2.7.9, which involved descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and simple linear regression. The findings revealed that USSC was significantly positively related to both FOMO and IME. This means that individuals who frequently compare themselves with the highly idealised online portrayals feel more of the exclusion-related anxiety and, at the same time, get involved in strategic self-presentation behavior to a greater extent. On the contrary, SCC showed statistically significant negative correlations with all three variables, demonstrating that people with a more stable sense of self are less likely to seek external digital validation. The regression results supported the view that USSC significantly predicted FOMO and IME, whereas SCC was a negative predictor of these variables, thus illustrating its protective role against them. The present findings demonstrate the existence of a vicious circle in which individuals who tend to compare themselves more with others have less clarity of their identity and are more susceptible to the pressures of social media.
Keywords	upward social comparison, fear of missing out, impression management efficacy, self-concept clarity, social media use, young adults
Published In	Volume 7, Issue 2, March-April 2026
Published On	2026-03-12
DOI	https://doi.org/10.63363/aijfr.2026.v07i02.3992

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Upward State Social Comparison, Fear of Missing Out, Impression Management Efficacy, and Self-Concept Clarity Among University Students on Social Media Use

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