The Dark Triad and Trait Emotional Intelligence as Predictors of Problematic Social Media use and Engagement: The Mediating Role of the Fear of Missing Out.

BackgroundFear of missing out (FoMO) has emerged as an important psychological concern among university students, associated with excessive social media engagement and linked to academic and sleep-related outcomes. However, evidence from Middle Eastern populations remains limited. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the relationships among FoMO, problematic social media use, academic productivity, and sleep quality among university students in Saudi Arabia.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted among university students in Saudi Arabia using a self-administered online questionnaire. FoMO was assessed using an adapted FoMO scale, problematic social media use using validated social media addiction items, academic productivity using validated academic behavior items, and sleep quality using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Pearson correlation and multiple linear regression analyses were performed.ResultsA total of 1,071 participants were included. FoMO was positively correlated with problematic social media use (r = 0.55, p < 0.01) and poorer sleep quality (r = 0.25, p < 0.01). Problematic social media use was negatively associated with academic productivity (r = −0.11, p < 0.01) and positively associated with poorer sleep quality (r = 0.20, p < 0.01). Regression analysis showed that problematic social media use was negatively associated with academic productivity (β = −0.17, p < 0.001), while FoMO (β = 0.19, p < 0.001) and problematic social media use (β = 0.11, p = 0.002) were positively associated with poorer sleep quality.ConclusionFoMO was associated with problematic social media use and poorer sleep quality, while problematic social media use was negatively associated with academic productivity among university students. These findings highlight the importance of promoting healthy digital behaviors to support student well-being and academic outcomes.

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

Profiles of fear of missing out and their social media use among young adults: A six-month longitudinal study

The present study investigated the factors that may be associated with a dysfunctional use of social media use, by exploring the association between adult attachment patterns and problematic social media use and analyzing the sequential mediation of self-esteem, fear of missing out (FoMO), and time spent on social media. A sample of 470 social media users (Mage = 33.76 years; SD = 14.267; 70 % women) completed the Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale, Fear of Missing Out Scale, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, and Relationship Questionnaire. Results showed a path analysis model providing an excellent fit to the data (χ2 = 2.939, p = 0.230; GFI = 0.998, TLI = 0.987, CFI = 0.998, RMSEA = 0.032, SRMR = 0.016). A significant and positive total effect in the associations between preoccupied and fearful attachment patterns and problematic social media use emerged. Both preoccupied and fearful attachment patterns were also related to self-esteem, FoMO, and time spent on social media, which were sequentially associated and were, in turn, significantly related to problematic social media use. Finally, when self-esteem, FoMO, and time spent on social media were added into the model, they totally mediated the relationships between preoccupied and fearful attachment patterns and problematic social media use, suggesting a full multiple mediation model (R2 = 0.33). Such data may provide useful information for clinical practice to develop tailored interventions and prevention programs to address the compensatory and problematic use of social media.

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.

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.

Studies have rarely investigated the association between extrinsic motivation and social media fatigue. This study aims to examine the mediating role of Fear of missing out (FOMO) and problematic social media use in the association between extrinsic academic motivation and social media fatigue. A total of 399 college students (43% males) completed measures of extrinsic academic motivation, FOMO, problematic social media use, and social media fatigue. The results showed that FOMO mediated the relationship between extrinsic academic motivation and problematic social media use; problematic social media use mediated the association between FOMO and social media fatigue; extrinsic academic motivation fostered social media fatigue either through FOMO or problematic social media use, or through these two factors together; and the indirect mediation effects between extrinsic academic motivation and social media fatigue through problematic social media use were larger than the single mediation effect of FOMO and their serial mediation effects. In addition, the indirect effects of the three subconstructs of extrinsic academic motivation (external regulation, introjected regulation, and identified regulation) on social media fatigue follow a trend of gradual decline. The findings and implications of this study are presented and discussed.

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.

Problematic social media use (PSMU) is an increasing global concern, especially among adolescents and young adults, because of its associations with adverse mental health outcomes such as depression, anxiety, and stress. While much research has been conducted in Western contexts, little is known about PSMU in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, particularly in Morocco. This study estimated PSMU prevalence among Moroccan adolescents and young adults and examined its psychosocial correlates, focusing on psychological distress (depression, anxiety, stress), and tested whether fear of missing out (FoMO) and social media engagement (SME) mediate these relationships. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with N = 2202 adolescents and young adults (1298 females (58.95%), 904 males (41.05%) ; aged 14–23 years). Validated instruments were used to assess PSMU (BSMAS), depression, anxiety, and stress (DASS-21), FoMO, and SME. Statistical analyses included descriptive analyses, correlations, and multiple mediation models. PSMU prevalence was 25.5%, (95% CI [23.7%, 27.3%]) and was higher among females, older adolescents and young adults, urban residents, and participants with lower socioeconomic status. Psychological distress positively associated with PSMU symptoms (BSMAS total), and FoMO and SME partially mediated these associations. The SEM model explained 35% of the variance in PSMU (R² = 0.35). PSMU is highly prevalent among Moroccan adolescents and young adults and was associated with psychological distress, sociodemographic characteristics, and behavioral mediators such as FoMO and SME. These findings highlight the need for culturally tailored prevention and intervention programs to promote healthier social media behaviors and enhance adolescent well-being.

One of the major challenges parents face today is managing the pervasiveness of social media in adolescents’ life. Yet, there is little empirical insight into how parents can effectively regulate their adolescents’ social media use to prevent or reduce problematic, addictive-like usage. Therefore, this dissertation aimed to deepen our understanding of the role of parents in the development of adolescents’ problematic social media use. It presents five empirical studies involving Dutch adolescents aged 8-18 years and their parents, addressing three key research objectives: (1) comparing self- and parent-reports of adolescents’ problematic social media use, (2) identifying key family factors that serve as important potential risk and protective factors for adolescents’ problematic social media use, and (3) investigating the effects of parental restrictive mediation (i.e. limiting internet use) on adolescents’ problematic social media use in greater detail using longitudinal data. First, findings revealed notable discrepancies between self- and parent-reports of adolescents’ problematic social media use using the Social Media Disorder scale. Less observable symptoms tended to go unreported by parents. Furthermore, parent-reports showed no associations with mental wellbeing indicators of adolescents. Therefore, parents’ role in assessing adolescents’ problematic social media use should be approached with caution. Second, adolescents who perceived a more positive parenting style were at lower risk of at-risk/problematic social media use, regardless of the internet-specific parenting they received or the intensity of their parents’ media use. Besides, limiting adolescents’ internet use seemed more effective when they perceived their parents as being warm and autonomy-supporting. Thus, a positive parenting style seems to play an important role in adolescents’ problematic social media use. Third, adolescents’ age moderated the effect of parental internet-specific rules on the onset of at-risk/problematic social media use. Adolescents younger than 12.3 years were less likely to develop at-risk/problematic social media use during the course of the study when they reported more strict parental rules regarding internet use at the start of the study. However, for adolescents older than 15.7 years we found the opposite effect. These findings indicate that parents should introduce internet-specific rules at an early stage and gradually loosen these rules as adolescents grow older. These findings provide important preliminary implications for researchers, health care professionals, parents and the government. Yet, replications in more diverse samples and further research into e.g., individual differences are needed to further enhance the complex relations between parenting and adolescents’ problematic social media use.

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

Scrolling into silence: Social media engagement and its linkage to affective disorders among 10-14 years old in Austria

There are many contributing factors to problematic social media use including personality differences, psychosocial factors, and specific use motivations. The present study (N = 444 emerging adults, 75% women) investigated the direct and indirect relationships between trait emotional intelligence and problematic social media use via social media use motives by testing a complex mediation model. Path analyses suggested that trait emotional intelligence was directly and indirectly associated with problematic social media use via two social media use motives: (i) expressing or presenting a more popular self, and (ii) passing time. Results of the present study indicate that trait emotional intelligence may have a role in the motives for using social media as well as the development and maintenance of problematic social media use. Moreover, future studies should focus mediator risk factors between trait emotional intelligence and problematic social media use.

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

The objective of this investigation is to assess the impact of telepressure, fear of missing out, social media engagement, and social media use motives on problematic social media use through the examination of a proposed model, while also scrutinizing the moderating effects of individual differences on the interrelations between these constructs. Utilizing online data collection methods, responses were gathered from a sample comprising 14,153 social media users. Analysis was conducted employing the partial least squares structural equation modeling technique alongside multi-group analysis. Findings indicate that the model accounts for 73.2% of problematic social media use variance. Notably, fear of missing out, telepressure, and the motive of image presentation emerged as the most influential constructs pertaining to problematic social media use. Furthermore, nearly all hypotheses related to social media use motives garnered support. In terms of moderators, gender demonstrated significant moderation effects in eight relationships, while age and usage exhibited moderation effects in six and three relationships, respectively. These outcomes underscore the potential pivotal role of social media motives and individual differences. This study contributes valuable knowledge to the growing body of literature and informs interventions targeting problematic social media use.