Facebook users with more than 300 friends show higher cortisol levels.
Do you have more than 300 friends on Facebook? If yes, you might be prone to a higher stress hormone level.
A new study by researchers at University of Montreal, Canada reveals that Facebook use can both spike and regulate the levels of stress hormone cortisol in teenagers. The study found that more than 300 Facebook friends increased levels of cortisol in teenagers.
Participants of the study were asked about their frequency of use of Facebook, their number of friends on the social media site, their self-promoting behaviour, and finally, the supporting behaviour they displayed toward their friends. The team then collected cortisol samples from the participating adolescents.
"We were able to show that beyond 300 Facebook friends, adolescents showed higher cortisol levels," said Sonia Lupien, a lead researcher. "While other important external factors are also responsible, we estimated that the isolated effect of Facebook on cortisol was around eight percent,” she added.
It was noted that none of the adolescents suffered from depression at the time of the study. Hence the results were not preposterous.
"We did not observe depression in our participants. However, adolescents who present high stress hormone levels do not become depressed immediately. It can occur later on," Lupien said.
But there is a brighter side too. Teenagers who back up their friends on Facebook by liking their posts or commenting on their achievements led to a falloff in their cortisol levels. Perfect reason to encourage and compliment your friends!
The study was published in the journal Psychoneuroendocrinology.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "Facebook, stress, teens, cortisol, University of Montreal, Canada")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}