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Study: Facebook statuses reveal low self-esteem, narcissism

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — We all have friends who like to share pictures to let us know about their kids, or that they’re at the gym. But there might be more than just bragging behind the practice.

A study by London’s Brumel University found those who constantly post about fitness on social media tend to be fueled by narcissism. Researchers also found Facebook users who post a lot about their bodies or their “great” relationships have a low self-esteem.

Psychologists at Brunel University London say they surveyed Facebook users examining personality traits and what motivates them to write their status updates.

The study used data from 555 Facebook users. It measured personality traits like extroversion, neuroticism, openness, agreeableness and conscientiousness – as well as self-esteem and narcissism.

The research found that people with low self-esteem post more updates about their current romantic life.

Narcissists will post more status updates about achievements, which draws from the need for attention and validation. However, those kinds of status updates receive the most likes and comments.

According to the study, if you over post pictures of your children that’s not necessarily a bad thing. The study found baby-pic sharers tend to be more conscientiousness.

However, the results suggest that being a little narcissistic on Facebook pays off with more likes and comments on status updates. But it could be that friends are being polite while “secretly disliking such egotistical displays.”