The Impact of Social Comparison via Social Media on Maternal Mental Health, within the Context of the Intensive Mothering Ideology: A Scoping Review of the Literature

Social media platforms communicate narratives of individuals, specifically the narrative of motherhood. The ascendant mothering narrative in Western society is Intensive Mothering Ideology (IMI). These ideals, norms, and practices set unattainable standards. Highly romanticized versions of motherhood portrayed on social media tend to stimulate social comparisons among women potentially impacting their well-being. This scoping review seeks to examine the literature that identifies the impact of social comparison via social media on maternal mental health, within the context of IMI. The methodology by Arksey and O'Malley guided the approach to creating this scoping review. Systematic searches of articles published within the previous 10 years were conducted in Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), PubMed, and PsycINFO. Searches aimed to capture concepts regarding social media as a medium for social comparison, and transmission of intensive mothering ideologies ultimately impacting maternal mental health. Articles were screened at the title and abstract level first, followed by application of inclusion and exclusion criteria. Nine articles were selected for inclusion in this scoping review. The studies were published in seven peer-reviewed journals, from four different countries with most originating from the United States. Results revealed that making social comparisons after exposure to intensive mothering ideas negatively impacted maternal well-being. Within the context of the Social Comparison Theory (SCT), maternal characteristics like self-esteem and maternal comparison orientation (MCO) seem to mediate the impact that social media has on maternal mental health. Social media communicates highly idealized motherhood mores, and critical analyses should focus on how mothers use social media.