Facebook Inc. (FB): Users Feel ‘Miserable,’ Say Studies

Facebook Inc. (NASDAQ:FB), of course, has no control over the information and photos that users post on their timelines, but apparently a couple of studies reveal that users on Facebook who see their friends’ posts and photos turn their feelings in a negative direction.

Facebook is becoming Frumpbook?

Research from a couple of studies released recently says that about one-third of Facebook Inc. (NASDAQ:FB) users claim that they feel worse about their lives after visiting the site and that they have a lack of satisfaction in their lives. The studies were conducted at two universities in Germany, and they surveyed 600 people and found that those who browsed the social-network site but did not contribute were deemed more likely to feel depressed.

The researchers found from the test group that what seemed to do more emotional damage to Facebook Inc. (NASDAQ:FB) users were those who saw positive posts, photos of Facebook “friends” who were smiling and there were happy, cheerful pictures that were shared. The researchers noted that those who visit Facebook and similar social-network sites frequently were at a higher risk of feeling socially isolated. Also, the researchers found that those who visit these sites but only look at posts and photos and don’t participate themselves tend to be the ones who are the most unhappy and dissatisfied with their lives.

“We have scientifically demonstrated that online networks provided access to lots of positive news and profiles from successful ‘friends’ that trigger jealousy,” said Humboldt University researcher Hanna Krasnova.

Thirty percent of study participants claimed that envy was the source of misery, while 36 percent stated they were at least “sometimes” frustrated after they visited Facebook. “Success, talents and possessions lead to reactions of envy,” the researchers wrote. “Everyone who is posting is always trying to depict themselves as well as possible and therefore the posts are predominantly positive.”

As of 9:30 a.m. ET Tuesday, Facebook Inc. (NASDAQ:FB) stock was up about 1 percent to $29.95 per share.

What do you think about this study? Does this tell you anything? How might these results affect user behavior on the site? Leave us your comments below and start a discussion!

DISCLOSURE: I own no positions in any stock mentioned.

Please see these related FB articles:

France Thinks Facebook Tax Collection Should Be Taxed

Predictions This Week for Facebook, Apple and Netflix

Dumb Stock Moves Involving Facebook, Intel and Microsoft