Social media use, loneliness and psychological distress in emerging adults

Authors: Taylor, Z., Yankouskaya, A. and Panourgia, C.

Journal: Behaviour and Information Technology

Volume: 43

Issue: 7

Pages: 1312-1325

eISSN: 1362-3001

ISSN: 0144-929X

DOI: 10.1080/0144929X.2023.2209797

Abstract:

Social media plays a dominant role in emerging adults’ lives, with evidence showing that it can contribute to elevated levels of psychological distress. However, existing findings are contradictory, insofar as the connection between social media use (SMU) and psychological distress remains unclear. To gain a better insight into the above relationship, we focused on different styles of engagement with social media (active social, active non-social, and passive) and examined whether their impact on depression, anxiety and stress symptoms is mediated by loneliness. Data were collected via an online survey from 288 emerging adults in the UK. It was found that increased passive SMU was associated with higher anxiety, depression and stress symptoms; loneliness was associated with both SMU and psychological distress, while increased active non-social media use was associated with decreased stress. However, loneliness showed significant mediation effects only on the relation between passive SMU and psychological distress. Limitations, future research directions and suggestions for practice are discussed.

https://eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/38648/

Source: Scopus

Social media use, loneliness and psychological distress in emerging adults

Authors: Taylor, Z., Yankouskaya, A. and Panourgia, C.

Journal: BEHAVIOUR & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

Volume: 43

Issue: 7

Pages: 1312-1325

eISSN: 1362-3001

ISSN: 0144-929X

DOI: 10.1080/0144929X.2023.2209797

https://eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/38648/

Source: Web of Science (Lite)

Social Media Use, Loneliness and Psychological Distress in Emerging Adults

Authors: Taylor, Z., Yankouskaya, A. and Panourgia, K.

Journal: Behaviour and Information Technology

Publisher: Taylor & Francis

ISSN: 0144-929X

DOI: 10.1080/0144929X.2023.2209797

https://eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/38648/

Source: Manual

Social media use, loneliness and psychological distress in emerging adults.

Authors: Taylor, Z., Yankouskaya, A. and Panourgia, C.

Journal: Behav. Inf. Technol.

Volume: 43

Pages: 1312-1325

https://eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/38648/

Source: DBLP

Social Media Use, Loneliness and Psychological Distress in Emerging Adults

Authors: Taylor, Z., Yankouskaya, A. and Panourgia, C.

Journal: Behaviour and Information Technology

Volume: 43

Issue: 7

Pages: 1312-1325

Publisher: Taylor & Francis

ISSN: 0144-929X

Abstract:

Social media plays a dominant role in emerging adults’ lives, with evidence showing that it can contribute to elevated levels of psychological distress. However, existing findings are contradictory, insofar as the connection between social media use (SMU) and psychological distress remains unclear. To gain a better insight into the above relationship, we focused on different styles of engagement with social media (active social, active non-social, and passive) and examined whether their impact on depression, anxiety and stress symptoms is mediated by loneliness. Data were collected via an online survey from 288 emerging adults in the UK. It was found that increased passive SMU was associated with higher anxiety, depression and stress symptoms; loneliness was associated with both SMU and psychological distress, while increased active non-social media use was associated with decreased stress. However, loneliness showed significant mediation effects only on the relation between passive SMU and psychological distress. Limitations, future research directions and suggestions for practice are discussed.

https://eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/38648/

Source: BURO EPrints