Posting Facebook statuses about your other half means you have lower self esteem

People who post Facebook updates about their boyfriend or girlfriend are more likely to have low self esteem, says new research from Brunel University London.

Psychologists at the uni also found those who brag about diets, exercise and accomplishments are usually vain narcissists – so step away from the hashtag blessed smoothie selfie.

Posting about your diet goals, dissertation selfies or your grad job is apparently motivated by a need for attention and validation – and when you get more likes and comments, you’re just boosting the attention you crave from it.

The research was collected from surveying hundreds of Facebook users to examine their personality traits and motives which influence the topics they write about in their statuses.

Studying 555 Facebook users, they found anyone who posts a lot of statuses about their bae (rather than about being single) have low self-esteem, while vainer people focused more on cataloging their own achievements.

Narcissists wrote the most status updates about their diet and exercise, suggesting they used Facebook to show off the effort they put into their physical appearance.

The study also found those annoying “me and my babies” updates from your friends who inexplicably have children simply mean they’re “conscientious”.

Dr Tara Marshall, a Psychology lecturer at Brunel, explains: “It might come as little surprise that Facebook status updates reflect people’s personality traits. People who receive more likes and comments tend to experience the benefits of social inclusion, whereas those who receive none feel ostracised.”

Dr Marshall suggests while it may seem narcissistic bragging pays off with lots of likes and comments on “beach body ready” diet updates, it could be their Facebook friends are politely offering support while secretly hating their egotistical displays.