demographic factors, self-representation, and social comparison as determinants of depressive symptoms in social media users: a university-based survey

Introduction: recent evidence show that depressive symptoms is becoming a concern among university students. however, possible determining factors of this psychopathology is under investigated, especially among university students. this study aimed to examine demographics, self-representation, and social comparison as determinants of depressive symptoms among university undergraduates.method: this correlational study sampled 299-undergraduate students of the university of ilorin purposively (male 66.6% and 44.4% female) in 2021. a questionnaire-pack comprising of iowa-netherlands comparison orientation, embodied sense of self, and self-rating depression scales were utilized to collect data while pearson’s correlation coefficient and stepwise multiple regression were used to analyze the results.results: findings revealed a significant positive correlation between depressive symptoms, age, and social comparison; however, depression was negatively associated with self-representation. additionally, results indicated three prediction steps; age, relationship status, and social comparison; social comparison and relationship status, and social comparison alone as predictors of depressive symptoms at 0.20%, 19%, and 17% variance respectively among participants.conclusion: age, relationship status, social comparison, and self-representation can be used to explain depressive symptoms among undergraduate students. university counseling services should build these factors into intervention when treating depression among students.