SOCIAL COMPARISON, VALIDATION SEEKING, AND PSYCHOLOGICAL DISTRESS AMONG YOUNG ADULTS

Abstract

Social media has transformed social interaction among young adults, increasing exposure to social dependence on external validation. The processes of seeking comparison and seeking validation can negatively impact mental well-being through the means of these different states of being a young adult. The current research examined the relationships between social comparison, validation seeking, and psychological distress in young adults. Using a correlational research method, the researchers collected data from 327 participants through convenient sampling, from age range 18 to 25 using self-report survey tools designed to assess the Social Comparison Orientation, Validation Seeking, and Psychological Distress. Pearson Correlational Analysis showed significant positive correlation between social comparison and psychological distress and Validation seeking also showed a significant positive correlation with psychological distress. Additionally, social comparison was significantly positively correlated with validation seeking among young adults.  Regression Analysis on the dependent variables to evaluate their predictive value, which showed that social comparison was a stronger predictor of psychological distress than validation seeking. The results indicate that young adults who depend on outside evaluations of themselves as well as engaging in frequent self-comparisons may be more likely to experience an increased level of emotional vulnerability. The findings indicated that steps should be taken to apply preventive measures and implement interventions that support young adults by promoting the use of adaptive self-evaluative methods in order to regain control of their mental health status.