Adolescent wellbeing and social media use

Section A: Presents a narrative literature review using a systematic search methodology of studies examining statistical moderators of social media use and adolescent wellbeing. The review revealed multiple moderators with gender as the most consistent. Clinical recommendations include increasing awareness of moderators associated with harmful effects in adolescents. Research recommendations are made including the need for validated passive social media use measures, greater to attention to a wider range of moderators and the need to adopt measures that capture adolescents’ responses to specific content or qualities of social media interactions. Section B: Presents a cross-sectional study of the relationship between social media use and social anxiety in a sample of 76 UK adolescents. Several hypotheses were tested relating to social media use and social anxiety, including the moderating role of age. Hypothetical vignettes were used to explore the cognitive, emotional and behavioural responses to social media scenarios. Results show social anxiety was significantly associated with investment and passive use of social media, and both negative cognitive appraisal and emotional responses to vignettes. Age was also found to moderate the relationship between negative cognitive appraisal and passive social media use. Findings are discussed in terms of adolescents who may be more vulnerable to harmful effects on social media. Clinical and research implications are considered

Social media use and adolescents’ self-esteem and appearance satisfaction: The moderating role of school motivation

Background: This large-scale investigation speaks to the growing concern associated with the use of social media on the psychological wellbeing of adolescents. The study explored time spent using social networking sites as a predictor of teenagers’ self-esteem and appearance satisfaction and the protective role that motivation in school might play. Method: The sample comprised 10,546 adolescents at age 11 and 14 years, from the UK’s Millennium Cohort Study. Multiple linear regression determined cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between use of social media and self-esteem and appearance satisfaction. Time spent using social networking sites significantly predicted teenagers’ self-esteem and appearance satisfaction levels. Results: A significant interaction emerged with school motivation and social networking in relation to appearance satisfaction, suggesting that school motivation may help to buffer the negative effects of online social networking. Conclusion: In response to the ongoing concerns around the increase in adolescents who struggle with difficulties relating to their mental health, the finger of blame is frequently pointed to screen-based methods of social communication. It is anticipated that present findings will prompt the development of new interventions that target time spent using online social networking sites, particularly among teenage girls, during this new era of COVID-19-induced social isolation

Adolescents’ engagement with social media

Social media plays an increasingly important role in the daily lives of adolescents. Yet evidence of its effects are mixed, and the field lacks underlying theory to guide more nuanced research. This study explored the psychosocial processes underpinning adolescent engagement with social media. Adolescents (n = 28) were interviewed regarding their experiences of social media, and interview transcripts were analysed using grounded theory methodology. The emergent theory describes a cyclical process of evaluating the risks vs rewards of social media use, experimenting, learning from experiences, and re-calibrating one’s stance towards social media. Two styles of use, active and passive, became apparent, each maintained and defended by numerous strategies employed consciously and unconsciously, with the overarching goal of maintaining a sense of safety regarding their sense of self and status within their social hierarchy. This study depicts a complex, nuanced picture of adolescent engagement with SM, one that encompasses both positive and negative experiences. The model points to the importance of identity and social identity theories, and raises important questions about identity development in this evolving context

The association between social media use and body dysmorphic symptoms in young people

Introduction: Social media use (SMU) is highly prevalent amongst young people and previous research suggests an association with mental health problems, including poor body image. However, the potential relationship between SMU and body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) has received little attention. Furthermore, little is known about the factors that moderate the potential association between SMU and body dysmorphic symptoms. The current study tested the associations between three facets of SMU and body dysmorphic symptoms and explored perfectionism as a moderator in a non-clinical sample.// Method: Two-hundred and nine 16-18-year-olds (mean age = 16.5 years, 37% male) recruited from schools in London completed an online survey measuring aspects of SMU, including: frequency of image-and text-based SMU; motivations for SMU (appearance, popularity, connection or values and interests); and active and passive SMU. Participants additionally completed validated measures of body dysmorphic symptoms, perfectionism, and anxiety/depressive symptoms. Linear regression models tested the association of body dysmorphic symptoms with different facets of SMU, with and without adjustment for age, sex and anxiety/depressive symptoms.// Results: Frequency of use of image-based, but not text-based, platforms was significantly and positively associated with body dysmorphic symptoms, and this association remained significant in the adjusted models. Appearance-based motivation for SMU was the only motivator uniquely associated with body dysmorphic symptoms across the unadjusted and adjusted models. Passive, not active, SMU was associated with body dysmorphic symptoms in unadjusted models, but this association became non-significant in the adjusted models. Self-oriented perfectionism moderated the association between frequency of image-based SMU and body dysmorphic symptoms.// Discussion: Image-based SMU, and appearance-based motivations for SMU, are positively associated with body dysmorphic symptoms. Self-oriented perfectionism may amplify the relationship between SMU and body dysmorphic symptoms. Our findings highlight the importance of a nuanced approach to examining SMU, and the need for further research to determine whether specific facets of SMU contribute to the development and/or maintenance of body dysmorphic symptoms

Social media and eating disorder psychopathology: a systematic review

The relationship between socialization through social media (SM) and eating disorders (EDs) is a serious problem for public health, largely affecting the mental health of younger people. This work aimed to identify scientific works addressing ED psychopathologies, studying their relationship with SM usage. In this systematic review, we analyze the available scientific evidence, thereby providing tools for intervention, prevention, and treatment. A systematic review and PRISMA analysis of narrative syntheses was carried out. Works were selected from the databases of Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, and PsycINFO. Out of a total of 257 references, 19 articles were identified and selected; among them, correlational studies predominated. A growing interest in the subject matter was identified, as it is undergoing constant changes. The investigations found that EDs and SM usage are influenced by the time spent on SM, the type of interactions, and shared photographs, as well as gender and sociocultural context

The Association of Mindfulness, Passive Social Media Use, Social Comparisons, FoMO and Depression in College Students

There is mounting concern that social media use among young adults has contributed to the increase in depression in this population, particularly college students. Passive social media use (i.e., browsing or following behavior) has been linked to higher rates of depression and other mental health symptoms among college students. However, scant research has focused on factors that may be used to alter passive social media use and decrease depression, such as mindfulness. Thus, the current study aimed to examine 1) the association between passive social media use and mindfulness, 2) to assess the mechanisms by which mindfulness may influence passive use, such as social comparisons and fear of missing out (FoMO), and 3) to assess whether mindfulness is indirectly related to decreased depression via its association with social comparisons, FoMO, and passive use. A path analysis was conducted to test the study\u27s hypotheses. We recruited 500 undergraduate students aged 18-30 currently enrolled at Montclair State University. Participants completed an online survey assessing the degree to which they engage in passive social media use, social comparisons, and FoMO, and their level of mindfulness. Mindfulness was negatively associated with passive social media use. Path analyses suggest that mindfulness was indirectly related to passive social media use via social comparisons and FoMO. More specifically, higher levels of mindfulness were associated with less social comparisons and FoMO, which in turn, was associated with lower passive social media use. Likewise, path analysis results suggest that increased mindfulness was related to fewer depressive symptoms via its impact on social comparisons, FoMO, and passive social media use. Increasing mindfulness may be useful for decreasing social comparisons, FoMO, and passive social media use and may be an important target in interventions aimed at promoting adaptive social media use and decreasing depression

The impact of social network use on adolescent depression: the chain mediation between self-objectification and body satisfaction

IntroductionAdolescents are in the transitional stage from childhood to adulthood, a critical period for individual physical and mental development. With the rapid development of the Internet, social networking has become an integral part of adolescents’ daily lives. However, the information that adolescents are exposed to on social networks is often processed and embellished, which may cause them to become physically dissatisfied and lead to emotional problems, such as depression. We investigated the chain-mediating effects of self-objectification and body satisfaction on the relationship between social network use and depression.MethodsWe utilized questionnaire data of 2025 adolescents from two secondary schools and one high school in China.ResultsOur results demonstrated that (1) there are obvious sex differences in the intensity of social network use and active and passive social network use among adolescents, with usage higher among girls than for boys; (2) self-objectification and body satisfaction play a mediating role in the relationship between the intensity of social network use and adolescent depression, as well as the presence of chain-mediating roles; and (3) self-objectification and body satisfaction play an intermediary role in the relationship between active and passive social network use and adolescent depression; there is further a chain intermediary role. The findings suggest that social network use affects adolescents’ depression through self-objectification and body satisfaction, which is not only manifested in the general use intensity of social networks but also in their active and passive use modes of social networks.ConclusionThis study provides theoretical support for the causes and mechanisms behind the influence of social network use on adolescent depression and has practical implications for the prevention and intervention of adolescent emotional problems

Motivations for social media use: Associations with social media engagement and body satisfaction and well-being among adolescents

Adolescents are spending considerable time on social media, yet it is unclear whether motivations for social media use drive different forms of social media engagement, and their relationships with body satisfaction and well-being. This study tested a proposed model of the relationships between motivations for social media use, types of social media engagement and body satisfaction and well-being. Responses to an online survey from 1432 Australian adolescents (M = 13.45 years, SD = 1.14, range 11–17; 55.4% boys) were collected. Structural equational modelling indicates excellent model fit. Specifically, motivations for social media use (information sharing, passing time, escapism, social interaction, social capital and appearance feedback) were associated with engagement (intensity, photo-based use, active use, passive use and liking use) and revealed mixed associations with body satisfaction and well-being. The findings support the importance of considering motivations for social media use in future research. ag

WHICH ARE THE EFFECTS OF BODY-OBJECTIFICATION AND INSTAGRAM-RELATED PRACTICES ON MALE BODY ESTEEM? A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Objective: According to the objectification framework, media pressure toward body models promotes the internalization of beauty ideals that negatively influence individuals’ body image and self-esteem. Historically, women have been the main target of sociocultural pressures. However, research has recently suggested that self-objectification is a male phenomenon as well, which can be inscribed in men’s body experiences. Nevertheless, fewer studies have specifically focused on the male experience and general consequences of body-objectification are yet to be extensively analyzed regarding males’ body image features. The current cross-sectional study explores the consequences of body-objectification on male body esteem, specifically testing the predictive role of exercising/dietary habits, body-objectification features, and SNS-related practices on male body esteem. Method: A total of 238 male participants (mean age = 24.28 years, SD = 4.32) have been involved in an online survey. Three hierarchical analyses were performed to test the influence of objectified body consciousness and social networking-related experiences (i.e. Instagram intensity use, photo manipulation, selfie feedback investment) on young men’s body esteem with specific reference to the weight, appearance, and attribution features of the Body Esteem Scale. Results: Findings highlighted that body shame played an interesting key role, influencing negatively all the body esteem dimensions, thus highlighting that attention needs to be deserved on this feature of OBC regarding males’ experience. On the contrary, appearance control-related dimensions positively influenced body esteem. Overall, findings confirmed that objectification theory can adequately mark a pathway by which media imagery is internalized also by men and may negatively affect their body esteem. Conclusions: Despite some limitations, this study may contribute to enlarging our knowledge on male body image and self-objectification experience and support literature shattering the stereotype that body dissatisfaction is a “female-exclusive” issue. Likewise, beyond some questioning positions, these findings also encourage further exploration of a healthier “control dimension”, including body appearance related activities and beliefs