Information overload and the intention to reduce SNS usage: the mediating roles of negative social comparison and fatigue

Based on the development trend of SNSs (social networking sites) and individuals’ specific experiences on SNSs, the current study aimed to investigate the association between information overload and the intention to reduce SNS usage, as well as the mediating roles of negative social comparison and SNS fatigue in this relationship. A sample of 986 undergraduate students who had an active WeChat Moments (the most popular SNS in China) account was recruited to participate in this research. The results indicated the followings: (1) There was a significantly positive association between each two variables among information overload, negative social comparison, SNS fatigue and the intention to reduce SNS usage. (2) After controlling for gender and age, information overload was positively associated with the intention to reduce SNS usage through the mediating roles of negative social comparison and SNS fatigue, and this association contained three mediating paths – the independent mediation effects of negative social comparison and SNS fatigue and the sequential mediation effect of negative social comparison and SNS fatigue. These results not only expand relevant research but also provide practical implications for the reasonable use and sustainable development of SNS.