The Mediating Effect of Social Media Use on the Relationship between Personality Trait and Gambling behavior among University Students in Northern Cyprus

Navigating Social Media in #Ophthalmology

The increasing prevalence of social media has given rise to the Fear of Missing Out (FoMO) phenomenon, characterized by an acute awareness of the rewarding experiences others might be enjoying. FoMO is hypothesized to affect various aspects of individuals' lives, including their psychological well-being and academic performance. This study explores these relationships among university students, a demographic particularly vulnerable to social media influences. To examine the relationships between FoMO, social media use, psychological well-being (as measured by life satisfaction), and academic performance (as measured by GPA) among university students and determine the mediating roles of FoMO and social media use. A quantitative, correlational design was employed, collecting data from 521 university students through a cross-sectional survey. Participants completed the Fear of Missing Out Scale (FoMO), the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), and self-reported GPA. Social media use was assessed via a customized questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS, employing correlation analysis, multiple regression, and mediation analysis. Findings indicated a strong positive association between FoMO and social media use (R 2 = 0.633, p < 0.001), suggesting that higher levels of FoMO lead to increased social media engagement (B = 0.834, p < 0.001). Contrary to expectations, FoMO was positively rather than negatively correlated with life satisfaction (R 2 = 0.064, p < 0.001, B = 0.158). Additionally, a strong positive correlation was observed between social media use and academic performance (Spearman's rho = 0.765, p < 0.001). Mediation analyses revealed that FoMO does not significantly mediate the relationship between social media use and life satisfaction, as the indirect effect was not statistically significant (B = 0.0785, 95% CI: -0.0164 to 0.1467). Similarly, the non-significant indirect effect indicated that social media use did not mediate the relationship between FoMO and academic performance (B = 0.005, 95% CI: -0.0045 to 0.0146). Moderation analyses showed that FoMO moderates the relationship between social media use and life satisfaction, where social media use hurt life satisfaction at low levels of FoMO (B = -0.1713, p = 0.0001) but had a positive effect at high levels of FoMO (B = 0.2848, p < 0.0001). This suggests that individuals with high FoMO may derive psychological benefits from social media use. Additionally, results indicated that social media use moderates the relationship between FoMO and academic performance, where FoMO had a significant adverse effect on GPA at low social media use (B = -0.030, p < 0.0001). Still, this effect became non-significant at high levels of social media use (B = 0.0097, p = 0.1028). Finally, life satisfaction moderates the relationship between FoMO and social media use, with higher life satisfaction strengthening the positive association between FoMO and social media use (B = 0.9277, p < 0.0001). These findings highlight the complex interplay between FoMO, social media use, life satisfaction, and academic performance. While FoMO increases social media engagement, its positive association with life satisfaction contradicts theoretical expectations. These results underscore the importance of considering psychological and social factors when evaluating the impact of social media use among university students.

Recent studies suggest that users’ preferences of social media use differ according to their individual differences and use motives, and that these factors can lead to problematic social media use (PSMU) among a minority of users. The objectives of the present study were to investigate the influences of (i) demographics and Big Five personality dimensions on social media use motives; (ii) demographics and use motives on social media site preferences; and (iii) demographics, personality, popular social media sites, and social media use motives on PSMU. The sample comprised 1008 undergraduate students, aged between 17 and 32 years (M = 20.49, SD = 1.73; 60.5% women). The participants completed a questionnaire comprising the Social Media Use Questionnaire, Social Media Usage Aims Scale, and Ten-Item Personality Inventory. Multiple linear and hierarchical regression analyses showed that social media use motives of (i) meeting new people and socializing, (ii) expressing or presenting a more popular self, and (iii) passing time and entertainment were associated with problematic social media use. Moreover, participants that preferred Instagram, Snapchat, and Facebook reported higher scores of problematic social media use. Finally, being female, introverted, conscientious, agreeable, and neurotic were associated with PSMU. The findings offer empirical evidence for uses and gratifications theory because the findings demonstrated that (i) different personality traits predict different motives, (ii) different motives predict preference of different platforms, and (iii) different individual differences such as personality, preference of platform, and specific use motives predict PSMU.

Spatial Patterns of Purposeful Social Networking and Socioeconomic Influences: Towards a Mature, Inclusive Networked Society in the U.S.

Youth Social Media Use and Health Outcomes: #diggingdeeper

BackgroundThis study examined how university students’ social media use is related to their mental health (subjective well-being [SWB] and loneliness) and perceived physical health. A cognitive bias model and a social network mediation model were used to compare social capital formed via face-to-face and online communication, considering the effects of personality traits (i.e., social skills, generalized trust, and social tolerance).MethodsWe conducted a self-report survey with 409 university students in Japan from August to September 2022. Four patterns of social media use were analyzed: (1) Twitter only, (2) LINE + Twitter, (3) Instagram + Twitter, and (4) Discord + Twitter. Relationships between the variables were investigated with a structural equation modeling analysis using SmartPLS 4.0.ResultsOverall, regardless of social media use patterns, personality traits had positive direct effects on mental health and also had positive effects on social capital via face-to-face (FTF) communication, which had mediating effects on the improvement of mental health. FTF social capital had a positive relationship with online social capital, which did not have relationships with mental or perceived physical health. Additionally, perceived physical health decreased loneliness but was not associated with SWB. Social media use negatively affected perceived physical health but had no effect on SWB or loneliness. Finally, different relationships between personality traits and social media use, FTF social capital and SWB, social media use and perceived physical health were observed among the four patterns of social media use.ConclusionThis study has implications for improving the health of young adults in the “mobile x social era.” In particular, we provide suggestions to help young adults improve their mental health.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s40359-024-02278-4.

Cooperative Mentorship: Negotiating Social Media Use within the Family

#trial: clinical research in the age of social media

Today's rapidly growing use of social media has both positive and negative impacts on people's social lives. Moreover, based on UNESCO data, Indonesian people are very active in using social media. This research aims to The use of social media as a learning medium aims to increase students' interest in learning, improve students' ability to use technology and increase students' awareness in using social media in the context of education. The method used in this research is a quantitative method using a survey model and in-depth interviews with one teacher and students. The results of this study show that social media can be used for learning tools or media. However, in reality, currently there is no maximum use of social networking media. The results of researchers' observations by looking at the growing phenomenon, that the use of social networking media is currently mostly only used by students to be limited to sending messages with friends, playing games (games), and buying goods online. The use of social networking media is currently still not utilized as a learning medium by students. The conclusion of this research is that media in the learning process is an inseparable part of the teaching and learning process in order to achieve an educational goal in general and learning objectives. Strategies to be able to find learning media. The right and appropriate in the learning process can be done by making considerations in the selection of social media. Therefore, the limitation of this study is that researchers only conducted research on the role of the Discovery Learning strategy in Islamic cultural history lessons, researchers hope that future researchers can conduct research on the Discovery Learning strategy by developing this strategy in other subjects.

Social media use, community participation and psychological well-being among individuals with serious mental illnesses

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the predictive roles of social media use and peer comparison on body image dissatisfaction among university students in India. Methods and Materials: The research employed a correlational descriptive design. A total of 491 university students from India participated in the study, with the sample size determined using the Krejcie and Morgan table. Participants completed three standardized self-report instruments: the Body Shape Questionnaire-34 (BSQ-34) to measure body image dissatisfaction, the Social Media Use Integration Scale (SMUIS) to assess social media use, and the Physical Appearance Comparison Scale-Revised (PACS-R) to evaluate peer comparison. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 27. Pearson correlation coefficients were used to examine the relationships between variables, and multiple linear regression analysis was conducted to assess the predictive roles of social media use and peer comparison on body image dissatisfaction. All assumptions for correlation and regression analyses were tested and met. Findings: The results indicated a significant positive correlation between social media use and body image dissatisfaction (r = .41, p &lt; .001), and between peer comparison and body image dissatisfaction (r = .48, p &lt; .001). The multiple linear regression analysis revealed that both social media use (β = .29, p &lt; .001) and peer comparison (β = .36, p &lt; .001) were significant predictors of body image dissatisfaction, explaining 34.2% of the variance in the dependent variable. Peer comparison emerged as a slightly stronger predictor than social media use. Conclusion: The findings underscore the need for educational interventions and mental health strategies aimed at reducing appearance-based social comparison and promoting healthier social media habits to improve body image outcomes.

Social media have become an integral part of everyday life and are used in numerous domains. Hence, it is essential to comprehend how and why users use and engage themselves in social media. Personality traits are patterns of thinking, feeling or behaving that could potentially affect an individual’s social media use. This paper aims at enhancing the understanding of the role that personality traits play in the psychological dynamics underlying social media use and engagement. Therefore, this paper conducts an extensive literature review regarding personality, trait theory and personality traits taxonomies and puts emphasis on Big Five Personality Traits – Five Factor Model (FFM). Furthermore, it presents a literature review of recent studies regarding the impact of personality traits on social media use and compares their results. Based on the findings, there is a close interconnection between social media use and engagement and personality traits with some traits affecting it more drastically. Openness and extraversion emerged as the two most significant positive predictors of social media use while conscientiousness, agreeableness and neuroticism were also considered important but at a lesser degree. Consequently, it was concluded that personality traits have an immense impact on social media use and engagement.

Problematic social media use (PSMU) and excessive alcohol consumption are two of the most prevalent problems in college students. Fear of Missing out (FoMO) is defined as a pervasive apprehension that others might be having rewarding experiences from which one is absent and by the desire to stay continually connected to what others are doing (Przybylski et al., 2013). This construct has been linked to these behaviors. The study aims to analyze whether FoMO has sufficient predictive power to be an adequate and common explanatory variable for both social media (SM) use and alcohol consumption in young college students; and, to evaluate FoMO as a mediating variable in the relationship between self-esteem and neuroticism with these behaviors. Method: 959 adults aged 18 to 40 participated (M = 22.34; SD = 3.99). The following variables were assessed: FoMO; hours spent on SM and PSMU; alcohol consumption, alcohol-related problems, and binge drinking (BD) frequency; anxiety, depression, self-esteem, basic psychological needs (BPNs) satisfaction; and personality traits (neuroticism, extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, and openness). Correlations, odds rationd path analysis were estimated. Results: FoMO was related to hours spent on SM, PSMU, alcohol-related problems, and BD frequency. FoMO mediated the relationship between neuroticism and the following variables: hours spent on SM, PSMU, and, BD frequency but not between self-esteem and these variables. Conclusions: FoMO was linked to PSMU to a greater extent than excessive alcohol consumption. Future mediation models involving FoMO and these variables should include neuroticism rather than self-esteem. El uso problemático de redes sociales (UPRRSS) y el consumo excesivo de alcohol son dos de los problemas más frecuentes en estudiantes universitarios. El concepto del miedo a perderse experiencias (en adelante FoMO, de acuerdo a sus siglas en inglés) se define como una aprehensión generalizada de que otros podrían estar viviendo experiencias gratificantes de las que uno está ausente y por el deseo de estar conectado con lo que otros viven (Przybylski et al., 2013). Este constructo psicológico ha sido vinculado a estas conductas. El objetivo de este estudio es analizar si FoMO tiene un poder predictivo suficiente para ser una variable explicativa adecuada y común tanto para el uso de redes sociales (RRSS) y el consumo de alcohol en jóvenes universitarios; así como evaluar el papel mediador de FoMO entre autoestima y neuroticismo con estos comportamientos. Método: Participaron 959 adultos de entre 18 y 40 años (M = 22.34; DT = 3.99). Se evaluaron las siguientes variables: FoMO; horas en RRSS y UPRRSS; consumo de alcohol, problemas relacionados con el alcohol y la frecuencia del consumo intensivo de alcohol (CIA); ansiedad, depresión, autoestima, satisfacción de necesidades psicológicas básicas (NNPPBB); y rasgos de personalidad (neuroticismo, extraversión, amabilidad, responsabilidad y apertura). Los análisis estadísticos realizados fueron correlaciones, odds ratio y un análisis de rutas. Resultados: FoMO se relacionó con las horas en RRSS, el UPRRSS, los problemas relacionados con el alcohol y la frecuencia del CIA. FoMO medió la relación entre neuroticismo y las variables: horas en RRSS, UPRRSS y la frecuencia del CIA; pero no entre autoestima y estas variables. Conclusiones: FoMO se vinculó en mayor medida con el UPRRSS que con el consumo excesivo de alcohol. En futuros modelos de mediación de FoMO con estas variables se debería incluir neuroticismo en lugar de autoestima.

Recent theory predicts that young people's emotional reactions are important in the impact of social media use on their mental health. Here we explore this using ecological momentary assessment (EMA) data measuring social media use and emotion within the 2-week 'Decades-to-minutes' (D2M) study (n=255). Dynamic structural equation modelling (DSEM) was used to examine the within-person relations between social media use and negative emotion (and vice versa), as well as the relations between negative emotions following social media use (defined as the within-person cross-lagged effect of social media use on negative affect) and depression. Results suggested a significant concurrent relation between social media use and negative emotion but no significant association between social media use and later negative emotion, or vice versa. They also suggested no significant relation between negative emotion following social media use and depression but a significant relation between social media inertia (stability of social media use from timepoint to timepoint) and depression. Our study illustrates the feasibility of capturing emotional dynamics in relation to social media use 'in ecological context' and their relations to mental health risk. It suggests that patterns of social media use (e.g., sustained versus intermittent use over and above levels of engagement) merit further research attention in terms of their association with mental health. Recommendations for future research include using shorter inter-prompt intervals to capture more immediate emotional reactions to social media use, and the development of more comprehensive EMA measures of social media use.

This study investigated whether young adults’ social media use and subjective well-being (SWB) changed during the COVID-19 pandemic. It examined the possible relationships between social media use, SWB, and personality traits. It included generalized trust, self-consciousness, friendship, and desire for self-presentation and admiration, in relation to different patterns of social media use and genders. Data were collected from university students in Japan from 2021 to 2023 and were analyzed based on different social media use patterns. The conceptual model was based on the cognitive bias and social network mediation models. Data were analyzed using ANOVA and regression analyses. The findings revealed that, over time, young adults’ anxiety toward COVID-19 decreased, while their SWB improved and their social support increased. Depression tendencies showed a negative association, whereas social support was positively related to improvement of SWB for all three patterns of social media use. Furthermore, online communication skills had a positive relationship with improvements in students’ SWB in Patterns 1 (LINE + Twitter + Instagram) and 2 (LINE + Twitter + Instagram + TikTok). The self-indeterminate factor had a positive relationship with students’ SWB for all patterns in 2022 and 2023, and the praise acquisition factor had a positive relationship with improvements in students’ SWB in Patterns 1 and 2. These results suggest that young adults maintained their mental health through different social media usage patterns, considering their personality traits and social situations associated with COVID-19. Particularly, receiving social support, decreasing people’s depression tendencies, and displaying different aspects of the “self” online can improve SWB. This study elucidates the mental health situations of university students in Japan and will help public health authorities develop new support programs that help digital natives improve their mental health in the context of social environmental changes.