Psychometric Validation of the Digital Life Balance Scale in Urdu and Its Relationship With Life Satisfaction, Social Media Addiction, and Internet Addiction

Understanding the Health and Well-Being of Early Adolescents Throughout the World: Findings From the 2017–2018 Survey of Health Behavior in School-Aged Children

BackgroundBullying, problematic internet gaming, and problematic social media use are concerning phenomena, especially among youth. However, studies including all three of them are scarce. Therefore, this study investigated the associations between bullying victimization and the two internet-related outcomes. Furthermore, differences between problematic internet gaming and problematic social media use regarding the individual and moderating effects of gender, age, educational background and mental health problems were examined.MethodsAdolescents (N = 6,735; 48.85% females) answered a school-based survey on bullying, problematic internet gaming, problematic social media use and mental health problems. The age ranged from grade 5 with M = 10.77 years (SD = 0.68) to grade 9 with M = 14.75 years (SD = 0.87) and overall M = 12.73 years (SD = 1.60). A-level school students represented higher educational background (39.52%) while B-level school students represented lower educational background (60.48%). Multilevel modelling was used to examine the associations of bullying victimization with problematic internet gaming and problematic social media use as well as the influences of gender, school grade as a correlate of age, school type and mental health problems.ResultsVictims of bullying showed higher odds for problematic internet gaming and problematic social media use. Overall, boys showed higher levels of problematic internet gaming, whereas girls showed higher levels of problematic social media use. Younger adolescents reported higher odds for problematic internet gaming, while no age effect was found for problematic social media use. Students with lower educational background and those with more mental health problems reported more problematic social media use than problematic internet gaming. Mental health problems moderated the association of bullying victimization with problematic internet gaming and problematic social media use, with stronger relations for students with less mental health problems. Furthermore, gender was a significant moderator for problematic social media use but not for problematic internet gaming, with a stronger association for boys.ConclusionsBullying victimization is strongly related to different types of problematic internet use. As differences in the impact on problematic internet gaming and problematic social media use can be identified, prevention should also consider gender, age, educational background and mental health problems.Trial registration DRKS00028183.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13034-025-01008-x.

BackgroundSexual and gender minority (SGM) individuals experience minority stress, especially when they lack social support. SGM young adults may turn to social media in search of a supportive community; however, social media use can become problematic when it interferes with functioning. Problematic social media use may be associated with experiences of minority stress among SGM young adults.ObjectiveThe objective of this study is to examine the associations among social media use, SGM-related internalized stigma, emotional social support, and depressive symptoms in SGM young adults.MethodsParticipants were SGM young adults who were regular (≥4 days per week) social media users (N=302) and had enrolled in Facebook smoking cessation interventions. As part of a baseline assessment, participants self-reported problematic social media use (characterized by salience, tolerance, and withdrawal-like experiences; adapted from the Facebook Addiction Scale), hours of social media use per week, internalized SGM stigma, perceived emotional social support, and depressive symptoms. Pearson correlations tested bivariate associations among problematic social media use, hours of social media use, internalized SGM stigma, perceived emotional social support, and depressive symptoms. Multiple linear regression examined the associations between the aforementioned variables and problematic social media use and was adjusted for gender identity.ResultsA total of 302 SGM young adults were included in the analyses (assigned female at birth: 218/302, 72.2%; non-Hispanic White: 188/302, 62.3%; age: mean 21.9 years, SD 2.2 years). The sexual identity composition of the sample was 59.3% (179/302) bisexual and/or pansexual, 17.2% (52/302) gay, 16.9% (51/302) lesbian, and 6.6% (20/302) other. The gender identity composition of the sample was 61.3% (185/302) cisgender; 24.2% (73/302) genderqueer, fluid, nonbinary, or other; and 14.6% (44/302) transgender. Problematic social media use averaged 2.53 (SD 0.94) on a 5-point scale, with a median of 17 hours of social media use per week (approximately 2.5 h per day). Participants with greater problematic social media use had greater internalized SGM stigma (r=0.22; P<.001) and depressive symptoms (r=0.22; P<.001) and lower perceived emotional social support (r=−0.15; P=.007). Greater internalized SGM stigma remained was significantly associated with greater problematic social media use after accounting for the time spent on social media and other correlates (P<.001). In addition, participants with greater depressive symptoms had marginally greater problematic social media use (P=.05). In sum, signs of problematic social media use were more likely to occur among SGM young adults who had internalized SGM stigma and depressive symptoms.ConclusionsTaken together, problematic social media use among SGM young adults was associated with negative psychological experiences, including internalized stigma, low social support, and depressive symptoms. SGM young adults experiencing minority stress may be at risk for problematic social media use.

Although previous meta-analyses were conducted to quantitatively synthesize the relation between problematic social media (SM) use and mental health, they focused on Facebook addiction. The purpose of this meta-analysis is to examine this relation by extending the research scope via the inclusion of studies examining problematic use of all platforms. One hundred and thirty-three independent samples (N =244,676) were identified. As expected, the mean correlations between problematic SM use and well-being are negative, while those between problematic SM use and distress are positive. Life satisfaction and self-esteem are commonly used to represent well-being, while depression and loneliness are usually used to indicate distress. The mean correlations of problematic SM use with life satisfaction and self-esteem are small, whereas those of problematic SM use with depression and loneliness are moderate. The moderating effects of publication status, instruments, platforms and mean age are not significant. The magnitude of the correlations between problematic SM use and mental health indicators can generalize across most moderator conditions.

SummaryBackgroundObesity has been associated with problematic internet use or internet use characterized by impulsivity, dependence, risk taking or impairment. Despite the unique affordances and growing popularity of social media, few studies have investigated obesity in relation to the problematic use of social media in contrast to general internet use.ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between obesity and problematic social media use and to test symptoms of anxiety and depression as potential mediators of this relationship.MethodsA cross‐sectional online survey was administered to young adults between the ages of 18–25 using the Qualtrics platform. Two mediation models were tested using model 4 of the PROCESS Macro in SPSS.ResultsParticipants (n = 4939) were between the ages of 18–25 (M = 21.74, SD = 2.3). Participants were 50.6% female (n = 2496) and 58.1% White (n = 2871). Reporting obesity was positively associated with reporting increased levels of problematic social media use, B = 1.15, SE B = .32, t(1, 4938) = 3.59, p < .001. The indirect effects in each model from obesity to problematic social media use, through both symptoms of anxiety and depression separately, were significant, B = .14, SE B = .05, confidence interval [0.055, .231] and B = .16, SE B = .07, confidence interval [0.018, .317], respectively.ConclusionsYoung adults who present both with obesity and with symptoms of depression or anxiety are more at risk for problematic social media use. These patients may benefit from education on health‐promoting social media use.

Social media use is one of the most popular leisure activities among adolescents. Concomitant to this is a growing concern regarding problematic social media use and its relationship with health behaviors. To further increase the body of research into this phenomenon, our study explored the relationship between problematic social media use and physical activity levels, sleep peculiarities, and life satisfaction in Lithuanian children and adolescents. The study was conducted in April to June 2018 during the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children survey in Lithuania, a collaborative project of the World Health Organization. The sample comprised 4,191 school children (mean age 13.9 ± 1.69 years). The findings show that problematic social media use associates with about two times higher odds for worse sleep quality and lower life satisfaction. Problematic social media use was related to lower levels of vigorous physical activity in girls, but the possible effect on moderate physical activity was in boys and was inverse-boys with problematic social media use reported higher levels of moderate physical activity. Overall, in our study, girls with problematic social media use tended to have more negative health perceptions than boys. The results suggest that problematic social media use is an independent risk factor for negative health behaviors. This study adds to the accumulating knowledge that problematic social media use among adolescents may lead to worse health perceptions and, likely, further negative health outcomes.

Insecure attachment is associated with a myriad of maladaptive outcomes, including low well-being and problematic Internet use. The lack of research investigating the roles that interpersonal attachment styles and psychological well-being play in problematic social media use is surprising. To address this gap, 915 young people aged 18-25 years (M = 20.19, SD = 1.58) completed an online survey measuring attachment styles, psychological well-being, and problematic social media use. We found that both greater attachment anxiety and less avoidance in attachment relationships were associated with problematic use of social media. The data further indicated that there was a significant indirect effect of attachment anxiety on problematic social media use through general feelings of psychological well-being, suggesting that individuals characterized by anxious attachment styles may be using social media as a means of enhancing psychological well-being. As psychological well-being was found to be negatively associated with problematic social media use, our findings bolster calls for enhancing young people's well-being. However, causality cannot be fully established due to the cross-sectional design of this study.

This study explores the relationship between social withdrawal and problematic social media use among college students, with a focus on the mediating roles of alexithymia and negative body image. Using the University Student Social Withdrawal Questionnaire, Social Media Addiction Scale, Toronto Alexithymia Scale, and Negative Body Image Scale, 2582 college students (33.46% male, average age = 19.46 years, SD = 2.23) were surveyed. Social withdrawal, alexithymia, negative body image, and problematic social media use were significantly correlated with each other. Social withdrawal positively predicted problematic social media use, and both alexithymia and negative body image played a chain mediating role between social withdrawal and problematic social media use. The findings indicate that individual social withdrawal is associated with college students’ problematic use of social media. The results suggest that alexithymia and negative body image may mediate this association, highlighting a potential pathway through which social withdrawal influences social media use patterns.

Learning and performance orientation, life satisfaction and problematic social media use in high school and university students: A moderated mediation.

BackgroundIn the digital age, the relationship between social media use and mental health has gained significant attention. Problematic social media use can negatively affect mental health, while mental health literacy plays a crucial role in mitigating these effects.ObjectiveThis study aimed to explore the relationships between problematic social media use, mental health literacy, and their interaction with depression among nursing students.MethodsA convenience sample of 628 nursing students from a university was selected. Participants completed questionnaires assessing social media use, mental health literacy, and depressive symptoms. The tools used included the PHQ-9, the Youth Mental Health Literacy Scale, and the Problematic Use of Mobile Social Media Scale. Multiple logistic regression was performed to examine associations.ResultsThe average score for problematic social media use was 56.29 ± 16.22, with 159 students (24.84%) exhibiting problematic behaviors. The average depression score was 5.19 ± 5.32, with 296 students (46.25%) showing depressive symptoms. The average mental health literacy score was 82.46 ± 13.24, with 191 students (29.84%) demonstrating adequate literacy. Logistic regression analysis revealed that both problematic social media use and low mental health literacy were risk factors for depression, with additive and multiplicative interactions. Nursing students with both problematic social media use and low mental health literacy had the highest depression detection rate of 77.2% (88/114), with an odds ratio (OR) of 6.464.ConclusionsDepression is prevalent among nursing students. Problematic social media use and low mental health literacy are significant risk factors for depression, and their interaction significantly increases the risk. Reducing problematic social media use and improving mental health literacy can help prevent depression and other negative emotional states among nursing students.

Social norms and e-motions in problematic social media use among adolescents

Childhood maltreatment and problematic social media use: The role of attachment and depression

Much of the existing literature on the influence of social media use on well-being has focused on Facebook. Additionally, there exist inconsistencies in how different aspects of social media use (i.e., duration, problematic use, and emotional investment) impact well-being. Thus, the present study aimed to investigate how engagement with social media (Instagram and TikTok) was related to problematic social media use and mental well-being. Additionally, this study examined individuals’ emotional investment (value attributed to “likes” and social media followers) on each platform and how this related to problematic social media use and well-being. In this correlational study, 252 participants completed an online questionnaire including validated scales (e.g., the Rosenberg self-esteem scale) and items measuring the time spent on each platform (minutes per day) and the importance of likes, and followers. Time spent on TikTok was a significant positive predictor of problematic social media use, depression, and self-esteem, however, did not predict loneliness. Time spent on Instagram was a significant positive predictor of problematic social media use, but not any other well-being factors. These latter findings highlight the need to investigate additional factors related to how individuals are using social media, as duration is not a sufficient predictor of well-being. Problematic social media use was a significant positive predictor of depression and self-esteem, but not loneliness. Emotional investment varied in predicting problematic social media use and well-being across the two social media platforms. Present findings may alert clinical psychologists to the importance of monitoring social media use in clinical populations.

Background Social media can influence alcohol initiation behaviors such as sipping, which can lead to future adverse alcohol-related outcomes. Few studies have examined the role of problematic social media use, characterized by addiction, mood modification, tolerance, withdrawal, conflict, and relapse, especially in early adolescence. Objective To examine the prospective association between social media use and sipping alcohol in a nationwide sample of early adolescents, and the extent to which problematic social media use mediates the association. Methods We analyzed prospective data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study (N = 7514; ages 9–10 years at baseline; 2016–2018) to estimate associations between social media time (Year 1) and alcohol sipping (Year 3) using modified Poisson regression, adjusting for confounders and testing problematic social media use (Year 2) as a mediator. Results Social media time (Year 1) was prospectively associated with 1.31 (95% confidence interval 1.20–1.43) times higher risk of new-onset sipping (Year 3). The association between social media time and new-onset alcohol sipping was partially mediated by problematic social media use at Year 2 (25.0% reduction in the association between the former two factors after adding problematic social media use, p = 0.002). Conclusions Time spent on social media was associated with a higher risk of alcohol sipping in a diverse national sample of early adolescents, and the association was partially mediated by problematic social media use. Media literacy education and family media use plans could advise early adolescents about exposure to alcohol content on social media and warning signs for problematic use.

IntroductionSocial media use and vaping nicotine are highly prevalent in the daily lives of young adults, especially among Mexican-American college students. The excessive and compulsive use of social media platforms, coupled with the urge to stay continuously connected, can lead to problematic social media use. To date, no studies have explored the impact of problematic social media use on the daily patterns of vaping among this vulnerable population.MethodsIn Spring 2023, we employed Ecological Momentary Assessment over a period of 14 days to collect real-time daily data on participants’ social media use and vaping behaviors via a mobile phone–based application. Participants were 51 Mexican-American college students aged 18–25 years, 72.5% female, who were current vapers. We used generalized linear regression models to examine differences in vaping behaviors among participants with and without problematic social media use. All regression models adjusted for age, sex, and SES.ResultsParticipants with problematic social media use vaped on an average of 5.9 days compared to 5.7 days reported by those without problematic social media use (p < .05). Problematic social media use is associated with more frequent daily vaping [b = 0.03; 95% CI: 0.02–0.05], increased number of days vaping [b = 0.14; 95% CI: 0.07–0.20], and vaping higher nicotine concentrations [b = 0.08; 95% CI: 0.03–0.14].ConclusionResults suggest that problematic social media use significantly increases the risk of daily vaping among Mexican-American college students. Findings highlight the need to strengthen digital resilience and social media literacy to help college students navigate and mitigate the risks of social media.