The Use of Social Networking Sites and Its Impact on Adolescents' Emotional Well-Being: a Scoping Review

Neural Reactivity to Social Reward Moderates the Association Between Social Media Use and Momentary Positive Affect in Adolescents

Peer relationships take on increasing importance during adolescence, and there has been considerable debate about the effects of social media use on adolescent emotional health. Little work has examined individual differences in brain function that might impact these associations. In this study, we examined the reward positivity (RewP) to social and monetary reward as a moderator of the relation between social media use and concurrent momentary affect in adolescents. Participants were 145 adolescents aged 14-17 (M = 15.23; SD = 1.08; 64.1% female; 71.7% White) at varying risk for depression (47 high-risk based on maternal depression history, 50 low-risk, 48 currently depressed). Measures of social media use, positive affect (PA), and negative affect (NA) were obtained through ecological momentary assessment. In a laboratory session, adolescents completed a computerized peer feedback task and a monetary reward task to elicit the RewP to social and monetary reward feedback. Multilevel models indicated that social media use and a smaller RewP to monetary rewards were associated with lower PA. However, social (but not monetary) reward responsiveness moderated the effect of social media use on momentary PA, such that social media use was associated with lower PA for adolescents with a relatively blunted RewP to peer acceptance, but not for those with an enhanced social RewP. Exploratory analyses indicated that this moderation effect was specific to female adolescents. The results highlight neural reactivity to social reward as a potential factor contributing to variability in the effect of social media use on affective health.

The Relationships Between Short Video Usage and Subjective Well-Being: Mediation Models and Network Analysis

On short video platforms, individuals can not only passively browse videos but also actively engage in behaviors such as liking and commenting on videos. However, the mechanisms by how active and passive usage of short videos affect subjective well-being remains unclear. Thus, this study aims to explore these mechanisms through path analysis and network analysis. We employed the Short Video Usage Questionnaire, Subjective Well-Being Scale, and Interaction Anxiety Scale to survey 1086 participants. The results indicated (1) the active usage positively predicted life satisfaction and positive affect, while passive usage failed to predict any of them. (2) Social anxiety mediated the relationship between short video usage and subjective well-being. Active usage enhanced life satisfaction and positive affect by alleviating social anxiety, while reducing negative affect by decreasing social anxiety. At the same time, passive usage reduced life satisfaction and positive affect by exacerbating social anxiety while increasing negative affect by intensifying social anxiety. (3) Network analysis revealed that "live interaction" behavior was a core activity for alleviating social anxiety and enhancing subjective well-being. The findings highlight the significant role of short video usage in subjective well-being and provide empirical evidence to guide users in the rational and positive usage of short video platforms.

Exploring social media determinants in fostering pro-environmental behavior: insights from social impact theory and the theory of planned behavior

Introduction

This study investigates the impact of social media on pro-environmental behavior (PEB) through the lenses of the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) and Social Impact Theory. The research aims to elucidate how social media influences Environmental Attitude (EA) and Subjective Norms (SN), and how these factors contribute to Behavioral Intentions (BI) that ultimately affect PEB. Additionally, it examines the moderating effect of Perceived Behavioral Control (PBC) on the relationship between BI and PEB.

Methods

To explore these relationships, the study employs a dual methodological approach using Variance-Based Structural Equation Modeling (VBSEM) and Artificial Neural Networks (ANN). Data were collected from two distinct samples: 1200 participants from Taiwan for the SEM analysis and 602 respondents for the ANN study. SEM was utilized to explore causal relationships, while ANN was employed to enhance predictive accuracy.

Results

The SEM analysis reveals that social media significantly affects both EA and SN, except for Social Networking Site Involvement (SNSI), which does not significantly impact EA. Additionally, the findings indicate that BI mediates the relationship between EA and PEB. However, BI does not mediate the SN-PEB relationship, and the link between SN and BI is found to be non-significant. Empirical evidence also suggests that PBC moderates the BI-PEB relationship, with a stronger influence observed under higher levels of PBC and a weaker influence under lower levels.

Discussion

These results underscore the complex dynamics between social media factors and pro-environmental behavior. The study concludes that while social media plays a significant role in shaping EA and SN, its impact on EA is not mediated by SNSI. Furthermore, PBC significantly moderates the BI-PEB relationship, highlighting its critical role in PEB. The discussion addresses the implications of these findings, acknowledges the limitations encountered, and suggests potential avenues for future research.

Internet Addiction and Psychological Distress: Can Social Networking Site Addiction Affect Body Uneasiness Across Gender? A Mediation Model

Introduction

The Internet, with its unlimited information, revolutionary communication capabilities, and innovative potential to expand knowledge, is ubiquitous throughout the world, but it also has significant implications for users' mental health. Given the not yet clearly defined and distinguishable nosographic categories of online addiction and the resulting difficulties in describing the impact on users' mental health, the present cross-sectional study aimed to gain new insights into the relationship between Internet addiction (especially social networking site [SNS] addiction), psychological distress, and physical discomfort, as well as gender differences in impact among users.

Method

A sample of 583 Italian speakers (50.8% males; 48.7% females) with a mean age of 30.96 (SD = 12.12) completed an online survey in July 2021. A set of psychometric self-report instruments was administered to assess the study variables. Mediation analyses were performed for both the whole sample and across genders.

Results

The study found that men exhibited higher levels of Internet addiction and craving than women, but no differences were found for SNS addiction. Furthermore, indicators of psychological distress (i.e., anxiety, depression, stress, loneliness, insomnia, and self-esteem) mediated the association between SNS addiction and body uneasiness, with slight differences across genders.

Conclusion

This paper contributes to the existing literature on online addictive behaviors by also highlighting gender differences. The findings underscore the need for educational experiences that can prevent problematic use of the Internet and SNSs.

Predictors of social networking service addiction

The surge in social network services (SNS) usage has ignited concerns about potential addictive behaviors stemming from excessive engagement. This research focuses on pinpointing the primary determinants of SNS addiction by introducing a theoretical framework centered on flow, perceived enjoyment, and habit. A sample of 282 SNS users from South Korea was surveyed, and the gathered data was assessed through partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). The evaluation revealed that positive affect closely relates to flow and perceived enjoyment, whereas negative affect amplifies flow but diminishes perceived enjoyment. Additionally, the research underscored that social influence significantly shapes habits and affects perceived enjoyment. Notably, flow demonstrated a strong connection to addiction, and perceived enjoyment influenced both flow and habit significantly. Habit was directly linked to addiction. These insights pave the way for more in-depth studies on SNS addiction patterns and offer a foundation for devising effective strategies to mitigate its adverse effects.