Problematic Social Networking Research Articles

Frequency of probable social media addiction and correlates of problematic social networking sites use in a sample of transgender adults.

Transgender people face many unique challenges. Thus, some of them report excessive use of social media. Our aim was to identify the frequency of social media addiction and to investigate the factors associated with problematic social networking sites use exclusively amongst transgender adults in times of the Covid-19 pandemic. We used data from the "Transgender Survey" HH-TPCHIVG (n=104 in the analytical sample). Transgender people from self-help groups were involved in gathering information about gender-affirming surgery at a German hospital were included. Specific exclusion criteria did not exist. The validated Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale served as a tool to quantify probable social media addiction. In sum, 20.5% of the transgender people are probably addicted to social media. Regressions showed that problematic social networking sites use was significantly positively associated with the presence of a migration background (β=2.41, p<0.05), and a higher frequency of sports activities. In conclusion, our study stressed the challenge of probable social media addiction among transgender people. Knowledge about the correlates of problematic social networking sites use may assist in addressing individuals at risk. The associations identified in this study could be explained, by, among other things, body dissatisfaction (especially with regard to sporting activities) or increased internet contacts (for people with a migration background). Efforts to reduce social media addiction (e.g., awareness-raising, promotion of offline activities, using role models) could prove effective in this group, pending longitudinal research.

Social Media Induced FOMO Effect on Depression: A serial mediation analysis towards problematic social networking usage and phubbing behaviour

Background: Depression is a major mental health disorder with severe personal and societal effects. It is characterised by a variety of feelings that are present at the same time (Pessimism, frustration, sadness, etc.). Many issues or worries in the modern world have been heightened by fears such as running out of mobile phones, out of internet packages, or Fear of missing out (FOMO). Despite this, little research on the relationship between these social media-induced FOMO has been undertaken on Depression. Objective: The present study intended to investigate the relationship between FOMO and depression through the serial mediation effect of problematic social networking usage and phubbing behaviour. Methodology: SPSS 23 with Process Macro and AMOS 21.0 were used to evaluate the survey data of 379 respondents from universities in North India. Results: FOMO has a significant detrimental effect on depression among its users. Also, this relationship was significantly mediated by both problematic social media usage and phubbing behaviour which supports the serial mediation model. Hence, the results exhibit that FOMO predicts problematic social media usage and phubbing behaviour, which in turn causes depression among users. Conclusions: Since most students use social media activity in the digital era, there is a significant risk that these students may be exposed to the negative impacts of problematic social networking usage, phubbing behaviour and depression. Therefore, students, parents, educators, and policymakers need to promote responsible social media use and teach students about detrimental behaviours including FOMO, problematic social media usage, and phubbing.

Exploring the relationship between problematic social networking sites use and depression: A longitudinal study.

The association between problematic social networking sites use and depression is established, yet the directionality remains to be clarified. This longitudinal study investigated the causal dynamics between the two phenomena by administering a questionnaire to 191 college students from a university in Shandong Province, China, across four assessment points with an interlude of four weeks. The study found that the impact of depression on problematic social networking sites use is not consistently sustained throughout the academic semester. Initially, this impact reached significance, but it waned and ceased to be significant during the mid- and late-semester phases. These findings allude to the possibility that depression acts as a significant precursor to problematic social networking sites use. However, the interaction between them appears to be subject to temporal and contextual shifts. Consequently, interventions tackling problematic social networking sites use should progressively pivot from moderating screen time and social media engagement towards enhancing emotional robustness.

The mediating role of intentional self-regulation in the constructive and pathological compensation processes of problematic social networking use

Perceived social isolation is a key predictor of college students’ problematic social networking site use (PSNSU). According to the Fear-Driven/Compensation-Seeking Hypothesis, reducing the fear of social isolation and compensating for social deficits serve as negative reinforcement motivations for SNS use, which may potentially result in PSNSU. This study investigated the association between perceived social isolation and PSNSU through the mediating roles of intentional self-regulation and parasocial relationships from a compensatory perspective. Additionally, gender differences in the mediating model were examined. Findings from an online survey of 893 college students in China revealed a positive relationship between perceived social isolation and PSNSU. The serial mediation model showed that intentional self-regulation and parasocial relationships both had positive individual mediating effects, as well as a negative serial mediating effect. Moreover, these mediating effects were only significant among women. The findings suggest that in the association between perceived social isolation and PSNSU, the mediating role of intentional self-regulation forms a constructive compensatory process, while its serial mediating role through parasocial relationships forms a pathological compensatory process. Interventions for PSNSU should take the mediating role of intentional self-regulation in constructive compensation process and the gender difference into consideration.

Beyond the Screen: A Comprehensive Analysis of Emotional Skills and Social Networking in French Young Adults.

(1) Background: This study investigates the influence of social networks on young adults, focusing on both positive and negative impacts. It considers problematic social networking site use (PSNSU), emotional intelligence, empathy, and the phenomenon of Fear of Missing Out (FoMO). (2) Methods: A comprehensive online survey was conducted with 442 participants aged 18 to 30 years that used various psychometric tools to assess emotional intelligence, empathy, internet and social media use, and FoMO. (3) Results: The study revealed that young adults display low competencies in emotional intelligence and empathy, with a tendency towards problematic internet and social media use. High FoMO scores were observed, correlating with negative internet use outcomes. Gender differences in these aspects were also explored. (4) Conclusions: The findings suggest a complex interaction between social network use, emotional skills, and FoMO that impacts young adults' mental health and social behaviors. This study highlights the need for a nuanced understanding of these relationships and their implications for well-being and social interaction in the digital age.

Profiles of social networking site use and problematic use among adolescents /Perfiles de uso de las redes sociales y uso problemático entre adolescentes

Adolescents’ use of social networks has increased exponentially. Therefore, considerable interest in studying the motives for using social network sites (SNS) and the relationships between these motives and problematic SNS use (PSNU) in adolescents has arisen. This study aimed to examine the relationships between adolescents’ motives for SNS use, frequency of use, numbers of SNS used and PSNU. A total of 1,775 students (50.4% female) aged 11–19 (mean age = 14.11) completed the Scale of Motives for Using Social Networking Sites and the Problematic Social Networking Site Use Scale. The results show that the primary motives for SNS use were entertainment, information-seeking and academic purposes. Significant correlations were found between motives for use and PSNU dimensions except for preference for interaction through SNS and academic purposes. Four user profiles were established based on the motivations for use: discreet users, leisure users, socializing users and hyperconnected users. Those in this last profile scored significantly higher on PSNU, and therefore, identifying adolescents fitting this profile is going to be key to taking appropriate preventive actions.

Addicted to socialising and still lonely: Acomparative, corpus-driven analysis ofproblematic social networking site use.

Problematic Social Networking Site Use (PSNSU) is not a formally recognised addiction, but it is increasingly discussed as such in academic research and online. Taking a quantitative, exploratory approach, this study aims to (1) determine whether PSNSU is presented like clinically defined addictions by the affected community and (2) address how well measurements of PSNSU fit with the thematic content found within the associated discourse. Four corpora were created for this study: a corpus concerning PSNSU and three control corpora concerning established addictions, including Alcohol Use Disorder, Tobacco Use Disorder and Gaming Disorder. Keywords were identified, collocates and concordances were explored, and shared themes were compared. Findings show broad thematic similarities between PSNSU and the three control addictions as well as prominent interdiscursive references, which indicate possible confirmation bias among speakers. Scales based upon the components model of addiction are suggested as the most appropriate measure of this emerging disorder.

The relationship between self-control and internet gaming disorder and problematic social networking site use: the mediation effects of internet use motives.

This study aimed to explore the relationships between problematic social networking site use (PSNSU), Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD), internet use motives, and self-control among university students in China and Japan. Specifically, it investigated the indirect effects of self-control on IGD and PSNSU through various internet use motives, considering gender differences. A sample of 697 university students (465 females; 397 Chinese) was surveyed. Path analysis was conducted separately for male and female users to examine the relationships between self-control, internet use motives, IGD, and PSNSU. The results indicated that self-control had significant indirect effects on IGD through enhancement (β = 0.096**, p = 0.005), social (β = -0.090**, p = 0.007), and conformity (β = -0.117**, p = 0.001) motives, but these effects were observed only in the male group. Self-control also exhibited indirect effects on PSNSU through enhancement, social, coping, and conformity motives, with a greater impact observed on PSNSU than on IGD. Gender differences in mediating effects were identified, with males and females showing distinct patterns. The findings highlight the importance of understanding gender differences and motivational factors in problematic internet use. These insights contribute to a better understanding of how internet use motives influence IGD and PSNSU in different contexts.

Problematic social networking site use in Turkey: A large-scale national survey study

Problematic social networking site use in Turkey: A large-scale national survey study

The role of trait and state fear of missing out on problematic social networking site use and problematic smartphone use severity

BackgroundPrevious research has reported mental health variables and maladaptive cognitive emotion processes to be associated with severity of problematic social networking site use (PSNSU) and problematic smartphone use (PSU). The present study examined trait and state fear of missing out (FOMO) dimensions and their potential mediating roles in explaining relations between PSNSU and PSU severity. MethodA sample of 461 participants (mean age = 24.15, SD = 7.78) completed an online survey protocol measuring trait and state FOMO, PSU, and PSNSU. ResultsStructural equation modelling revealed that trait and state FOMO were significantly associated with PSNSU severity, and PSNSU severity was associated with PSU severity. State (but not trait) FOMO mediated relations between PSNSU and PSU severity. ConclusionsThe study demonstrates the role of FOMO, especially state FOMO, in association with PSNSU and PSU severity.

The Application of the Metacognitive Model of Desire Thinking and Craving in Problematic Social Networking Sites Use

Cognitive models of addictive behaviours have highlighted the central role of Desire Thinking (DT) – a conscious and voluntary cognitive process orienting to prefigure images and information about a positive target-related experience – in increasing craving and maintaining addictive behaviors. The metacognitive model of DT and craving posits that metacognition plays a central role in understanding dysregulation in DT. The current study aims to test the role of metacognitions about DT, DT, and craving in the relationship between Fear of Missing Out (FoMo), boredom proneness, negative emotional reactivity and Problematic Social Network Sites Use (PSNSU). A sample of 529 participants (Mage= 32.45 ± 13.33; F = 62.9%) completed an online survey. The hypothesised model produced an adequate fit to the data and accounted for 86% of PSNSU variance. FoMO predicted positive metacognitions about DT (PMDT), which predicted DT that, in association with craving, predicted PSNSU. Boredom proneness positively predicted PSNSU directly and indirectly through the serial mediation of PMDT, DT, and craving. A direct path between negative emotional reactivity and PSNSU was found. The current findings provide preliminary evidence for applying the metacognitive model of DT and craving in PSNSU. PMDT and DT may be central cognitive processes in craving and PSNSU for individuals who experience boredom proneness and FoMo.

Failure in reflective functioning as a key factor in the association between problematic social networking sites use, attachment and childhood maltreatment: A network analysis approach on gender differences.

Following a network analysis approach, the present study aims to explore the pattern of mutual relationships between failure in reflective functioning (RF) - defined as hypomentalization - problematic social networking sites use (PSNSU), attachment anxiety and avoidance, and childhood maltreatment among emerging adults, with a focus on gender differences. The study sample comprises N = 1,614 emerging adults (Mage = 23.84; SD = 3.21; 50% identified themselves as women) who completed online self-assessment measures. Results showed significantly greater PSNSU, hypomentalization, childhood emotional abuse, and both attachment avoidance and anxiety among women. Indeed, within the network analysis, performed separately for men and women, network-specific associative patterns were observed; yet also similarities have emerged. Within the women's network, differently from males, attachment avoidance connects, through attachment anxiety, to emotional abuse, mood modification related to PSNSU, and hypomentalization. Nonetheless, hypomentalization was central in both networks, functioning as a hub between attachment anxiety, the PSNSU cluster, and the childhood maltreatment cluster. These results shed light on the use of social network sites as a potential maladaptive emotion regulation strategy, particularly among women. In this regard, the role of RF should be considered as a key treatment target to reduce PSNSU and support the use of adaptive emotion regulation strategies.

The association between adult attachment and problematic Internet use: A three-level meta-analysis

Background and aimsProblematic Internet use (PIU; generalized PIU and specific PIU) is an emerging public health issue associated with various negative mental health indicators. Adult attachment, which refers to individuals' views of the self and others in intimate relationships, has been found to be an important factor related to PIU in both theoretical and empirical studies. Although a few systematic reviews and meta-analyses have reported an association between attachment and specific PIU (i.e., problematic social networking sites, and problematic smartphone use), there are some limitations. Based on the PRISMA method, the current study examined the associations between adult attachment and general PIU and specific PIU using a three-level meta-analysis approach. MethodsIn total, the present study identified 82 studies, with 66456 adults and 289 effect sizes after a systematic literature search for articles published before January 2023. ResultsThe analysis revealed that insecure attachment was positively correlated with PIU, while secure attachment was negatively correlated with PIU. Moreover, moderator analyses showed that the association between adult attachment and PIU was moderated by attachment style, measurement of attachment, and measurement of PIU. Discussion and conclusionsIt is clear that insecure attachment is an important risk factor for PIU. Therefore, it is imperative to prevent and intervene in young adults’ experiences of attachment insecurity as well as especially provide extra support for those young adults who have experienced such attachment anxiety.

Social anxiety and phubbing: The mediating role of problematic social networking and the moderating role of family socioeconomic status

AbstractPhubbing harms relationships and reduces well‐being of phubbees. However, limited research has explored the potential causes and underlying mechanisms for phubbing; and an important risk factor, social anxiety, has been largely ignored from previous studies. The present study employed a moderated mediation model to examine whether social anxiety was positively related to phubbing, whether problematic social networking mediated the relationship, and whether the first path of this mediating process was moderated by family socioeconomic status. The data of 1379 undergraduates (Mage = 18.84; SD = 0.94) were collected anonymously to test the model. Findings demonstrated that social anxiety was positively linked to phubbing, problematic social networking mediated the linkage, and family socioeconomic status played a moderating role in the first stage. Specifically, the indirect association between social anxiety and phubbing via problematic social networking was stronger for undergraduates with lower family socioeconomic status. Results provide a new perspective for understanding phubbing and highlight the significance of uncovering the underlying mechanisms.

Profiles of problematic social networking site use: A cross-cultural validation of a scale with Spanish and Mexican adolescents

In recent years, increasing interest in social networking site (SNS) use has resulted in a large body of research examining addiction to SNSs. The aim of this study was to cross-culturally validate a Spanish adaptation of the Problematic Social Networking Site Use Scale (PSNUS) based on the General Problematic Internet Use Scale (GPIUS-2) and to stablish profiles by using latent profile analysis (LPA) to compare the proportion of problematic use between Spanish and Mexican adolescents. The sample was composed of 1,534 Spanish and Mexican students (55.0% girls) 15–17 years of age. Confirmatory factor analysis and the invariance of the PSNUS were examined; the scale displayed good structural validity and achieved full metric invariance. The PSNUS demonstrated good reliability indexes, convergent, discriminant, and criterion validity with respect to the number of days the participants used an SNS, the duration of use, and GPIUS-2 dimension scores. LPA based on the five PSNUS dimensions revealed the existence of five profiles: among them, a clear non-problematic user group that comprised 44.6%; an at-risk group that comprised 13.2% of the sample; and a clear problematic user profile making up 2.9% of the sample. This study provides validation of the PSNUS for two Spanish-speaking countries; it may be used as an alternative to the prevailing component model of addiction to SNS use.

The longitudinal association between narcissism and problematic social networking sites use: The roles of two social comparison orientations

The present study aimed to explore whether the tendency to compare one’s abilities and opinions to those of others (social comparison orientation) could longitudinally mediate the association between narcissism and problematic SNS use. A total of 1,196 college students were assessed at three time points over 22 months. The results showed that narcissism at time 1 was positively related to problematic SNS use at time 3 and that ability comparison at time 2 longitudinally mediated the association between narcissism at time 1 and problematic SNS use at time 3, whereas the longitudinal mediating effect of opinion comparison at time 2 was not significant. These findings suggest that narcissism more distally and ability comparison more proximally may be risk factors for engaging in problematic SNS use, and it is important to distinguish between types of social comparisons in problematic SNS use behaviors.

COVID-19 lockdown stress and problematic social networking sites use among quarantined college students in China: A chain mediation model based on the stressor–strain–outcome framework

The COVID-19 pandemic has coincided with a global increase in problematic social networking sites use (PSNSU). By drawing on transactional stress theory and applying the stressor–strain–outcome (SSO) framework, we proposed and verified a chain mediation model to explore the mediating roles of fear of missing out (FoMO) and future anxiety (FA) in the relationship between COVID-19 lockdown stress (CL stress) and PSNSU. Our sample of 670 quarantined college students in China responded to a COVID-19 student stress questionnaire, a social network addiction scale, a fear of missing out scale, and a dark future scale. The results revealed that (1) CL stress significantly positively predicted PSNSU, (2) both FoMO and FA mediated the relationship between CL stress and PSNSU, (3) FoMO significantly positively predicted FA, and (4) a full chain mediation was observed between CL stress and PSNSU.

Mother phubbing and adolescents' problematic SNS use: the mediating role of perceived burdensomeness and the moderating role of need to belong.

There is a rapidly growing academic interest on parental phubbing, however, little research has explored the association between mother phubbing and adolescent problematic social networking sites use (PSNSU), the underlying mediating and moderating effects in this relationship are also in need to be uncovered. The present study examined whether mother phubbing would be positively related to adolescent PSNSU, whether perceived burdensomeness would mediate this relationship, and whether need to belong would moderate the associations between mother phubbing and adolescent PSNSU. The hypothesized research model was examined among 3,915 Chinese adolescents (47% of them were boys, mean age = 16.42 ± 0.77 years). The results showed that mother phubbing was positively associated with adolescent PSNSU and perceived burdensomeness mediated this association. Furthermore, need to belong moderated the relationship between perceived burdensomeness and PSNSU, the relationship between mother phubbing and perceived burdensomeness, and the relationship between mother phubbing and PSNSU.

The fear in desire: linking desire thinking and fear of missing out in the social media context

According to the Elaborated Intrusion Theory of Desire, desire thinking and an associated deficit are fundamental factors to the emergence of craving. In the special case of problematic social networking sites (SNS) use, this experienced deficit could be constituted of an online-specific fear of missing out (FoMO). To test the interaction of these cognitions and their influence on problematic SNS use, we tested a serial mediation model on a sample of N = 193 individuals who use SNS (73% female, Mage = 28.3, SD = 9.29). We found that desire thinking predicted FoMO and both variables were only significant predictors of problematic SNS use when considered in interplay with craving. Ad hoc analyses revealed that the verbal subcomponent of desire thinking is more strongly associated with FoMO than imaginal prefiguration. Our results highlight that neither desire thinking nor FoMO are inherently dysfunctional but become problematic when they increase craving for potentially problematic SNS use.

Body shame and problematic social networking sites use: the mediating effect of perfectionistic self-presentation style and body image control in photos

Previous studies have shown that body shame and body image control in photos are associated with Problematic Social Networking Sites Use. The current study aims to build upon previous evidence by examining the role of perfectionistic self-presentation in the relationship between body shame, on the one hand, and body image control in photos and Problematic Social Networking Sites Use, on the other hand. The sample included 695 participants (%F = 61.29; Mage = 21.01 ± 5.05; age range = 14–30). The hypothesized serial mediation effect of perfectionistic self-presentation style and body image control in photos in the association between body shame and Problematic Social Networking Sites Use was significant (indirect effect = 0.05; 95% CI: [0.02, 0.07] for young women; indirect effect = 0.02; 95% CI: [0.002, 0.04] for young men). The present study contributes toward the understanding of the possible predictors of Problematic Social Networking Sites Use and leads novel findings in the field of self-objectification research. Regardless of gender, young people who feel ashamed of their body may develop a perfectionistic self-presentation (by promoting a perfect image and hiding imperfections) as compensatory strategy. However, the gratification of the need for self-presentation through body image control in Social Networks photos activities could in turn lead to Problematic Social Networking Sites Use.