The Associations between Problematic Social Networking Site Use and Sleep Quality, Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Depression, Anxiety and Stress

Zaheer Hussain,Mark D Griffiths

doi:10.1007/s11469-019-00175-1

Abstract

Social networking sites (SNSs) are now used by billions of users worldwide and can help facilitate communication and the sharing of information. However, there is evidence that problematic SNS use (PSNSU) can have negative effects on health. The present study examined the associations between PSNSU, sleep quality, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), depression, anxiety and stress among SNS users. A total of 638 SNS users (mean age = 32.03 years, SD = 10.08) completed an online survey comprising instruments assessing SNS addiction, sleep quality, ADHD, depression, anxiety and stress. Regression analysis indicated that the factors of age (β = − .24, p < .01), relationship status (i.e., being in a relationship) (β = − .09, p < .05), ADHD (β = .43, p < .01) and anxiety (β = .12, p < .01) explained 23.9% of the variance in problematic SNS use. Bivariate correlations identified moderate positive correlations between PSNSU, poor sleep quality (r = .24, p < .01, R2 = .06), ADHD (r = .47, p < .01, R2 = .22), depression (r = .32, p < .01, R2 = .10), anxiety (r = .38, p < .01, R2 = .14) and stress (r = .34, p < .01, R2 = .12). The study demonstrated that PSNSU was associated with psychopathological and psychiatric disorders symptoms, the findings will help inform future interventions for reducing and tackling PSNSU.

Highlights

The term ‘SNS addiction’ or arguably the more appropriate term of ‘problematic SNS use’ (PSNSU), has been defined as an activity that occupies an individual’s thinking, is driven by a strong motivation to log on or use SNSs, and the individual spends so much time and effort using SNSs that it impairs other social activities, work/studies, interpersonal relationships and/ or psychological health and wellbeing (Andreassen and Pallesen 2014)
Sariyska et al (2015) reported that internet addiction was associated with depression and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), while research by Turel and Bechara (2016) reported that ADHD symptoms were associated with increased stress, reduced selfesteem and increased cravings to use SNSs
Anxiety and stress might culminate in negative psychosocial consequences like those reported by Wu et al (2013)

Summary

Introduction

The term ‘SNS addiction’ or arguably the more appropriate term of ‘problematic SNS use’ (PSNSU), has been defined as an activity that occupies an individual’s thinking, is driven by a strong motivation to log on or use SNSs, and the individual spends so much time and effort using SNSs that it impairs other social activities, work/studies, interpersonal relationships and/ or psychological health and wellbeing (Andreassen and Pallesen 2014). Relationships between depression, anxiety and other addictive technological behaviours have been reported (e.g., Alavi et al 2012; Carli et al 2013; Cho et al 2013; Guo et al 2012; Hussain et al 2017; Kuss et al 2014; Lee et al 2014; Lepp et al 2014; Morrison and Gore 2010; Richardson et al 2018; Wei et al 2012; Weinstein et al 2014) Taken together, these studies show the potential associations between psychopathological symptoms and PSNSU

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