Abstract The study examines the nuanced effects of virtual social comparisons on university students using 401 surveys and 18 interviews. Employing a mixed-methods approach, the study rigorously examines variables such as gender, place of residence, type AQ 1 AQ 1 AQ 1 PGDT_024_03-04_016-Jabali et al.indd 657 5/22/2025 1:43:58 PM 658 jabali et al. Perspectives on Global Development and Technology 24 (2025) 657–680 of faculty, and academic level. The investigation aligns with the ‘social comparison theory,’ emphasizing how cultural resilience, gender dynamics, communal support structures, living conditions, and developmental stressors shape the effects of virtual social comparisons. Findings reveal an overall minimal impact, yet highlight significant gender-based differences in favor of male students. Despite diverse academic disciplines, the absence of differences based on faculty type underscores shared cultural resilience. Distinct impacts emerge based on the place of residence, with students in camps experiencing heightened effects due to socio-political and economic factors. Variations across academic levels correspond with developmental stressors, elucidating a dynamic relationship between academic advancement and the impact of virtual social comparisons. This research contributes nuanced insights for future studies and interventions, recognizing the multifaceted influence of cultural variables on students’ experiences in the digital age

Title

هبة خالد احمد سليم

Publisher

PERSPECTIVES ON GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT AND TECHNOLOGY Perspectives on Global Development

Publisher Country

Aruba

Publication Type

Prtinted only

Volume

--

Year

2025

Pages

25