Generalized problematic Internet use, depression, and explicit self-esteem: Evidence from the United Arab Emirates

Effects of Social Anxiety and Subjective Well-Being on Problematic Mobile Social Media Use in First-Year University Students: The Mediating Role of Self-Esteem

Background: Problematic mobile social media use may impact college students' physical and mental health. This study aimed to elucidate the impact of social anxiety and subjective well-being on problematic mobile social media use and the mediating role of self-esteem in this relationship. Methods: A total of 387 first-year university students (39.8% females, 60.2% males; mean age = 18.74 years) were enrolled in this study and completed self-report measures of social anxiety, subjective well-being, self-esteem and problematic mobile social media use. A structural equation model was constructed and tested by AMOS 23.0 software. Results: (1) Social anxiety not only had a direct effect on problematic mobile social media use, but also had an indirect effect on problematic mobile social media use via self-esteem. (2) Subjective well-being was positively and significantly associated with self-esteem, as well as problematic mobile social media use. (3) Self-esteem played a suppressing role between subjective well-being and problematic mobile social media use. Conclusions: It is necessary to help college students reduce their social anxiety and increase their subjective happiness through appropriate ways, as this plays an important role in increasing self-esteem and reducing their problematic mobile social media use.

The association between psychological burden related to COVID-19 and addictive social media use: Testing the mediational role of anxious affect

INTRODUCTION

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a substantial impact on the normalcy of life. Similarly, social media use (SMU) has increased exponentially. This study examined the association between individuals' perception of the psychological burden related to the pandemic and addictive SMU.

METHOD

A cross-sectional study was conducted between February and May 2021 in two national contexts, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates. Data were gathered from a sample of 1322 participants drawn from a university population who completed measures of psychological burden related to COVID-19, anxious affect, and addictive SMU. Preliminary analyses of the potential association between the study variables were conducted using bivariate correlations followed by a pre-specified mediation model.

RESULTS

At a correlational level, all three study variables were positively associated with each other (r values ranged from .18 to .50 and all p values were < .05). A further mediation analysis confirmed that the total effect of psychological burden on addictive SMU was significant (β = .654, SE = .033, 95% CI .589-.720), and this relationship remained significant with inclusion of the mediator. Significant mediation was evident across the total sample as well as within each country-specific subsample.

CONCLUSION

These results provide insight into the factors that contribute to the development of addictive SMU in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic. Findings are discussed in relation to the emotion regulation function that SMU might play for individuals in the midst of emotional distress.

Problematic Internet Usage and Self-Esteem in Chinese Undergraduate Students: The Mediation Effects of Individual Affect and Relationship Satisfaction

The aim of this cross-sectional study was to examine the mediating effects of individual affect and relationship satisfaction on the relationship between self-esteem and Problematic Internet Use (PIU). Affect was measured using the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS), relationship satisfaction was assessed using a positive and negative semantic dimension scale, self-esteem was measured using the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, and PIU was measured using the Problematic Internet Use scale with a sample of 507 Chinese university students (Mage = 20.41 years, SD = 2.49). The relationships between the variables were tested using structural equation modelling with a multiple mediation model. The results revealed that negative affect and the negative semantic dimensions of relationship satisfaction mediated the relationship between self-esteem and PIU. The implications of the results and the study’s theoretical contributions are discussed.

Body image dissatisfaction and lower self-esteem as major predictors of poor sleep quality in gynecological cancer patients after surgery: cross-sectional study

Background

Sleep quality is among the indicators associated with the quality of life of patients with cancer. A multitude of factors may affect patient sleep quality and are considered as associated predictive factors. The aim of this study was to examine the predictors of poor sleep quality in Moroccan women with gynecological cancer after radical surgery.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was carried out at the Oncology Department of the Ibn Rochd University Hospital, Casablanca (Morocco), on women who had undergone radical surgery for gynecological cancer (n = 100; mean age: 50.94 years). To assess sleep quality, symptoms of depression and anxiety, self-esteem and body image, the following translated and validated Arabic versions of the tools were used: Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Rosenberg’s Self-Esteem Scale and Body Image Scale. To determine predictors of sleep quality, multiple linear and hierarchical regressions were used.

Results

78% of participants were considered poor sleepers, most of them exhibited very poor subjective quality (53%), longer sleep onset latency (55%), short period of sleep (42%) and low rate of usual sleep efficiency (47%). 79% of these patients did not use sleep medication and 28% were in poor shape during the day. Waking up in the middle of the night or early in the morning and getting up to use the bathroom were the main reasons for poor sleep quality. Higher PSQI scores were positively correlated with higher scores of anxiety, depression, body image dissatisfaction and with lower self-esteem (p < 0.001). The medical coverage system, body image dissatisfaction and low self-esteem predicted poor sleep quality. After controlling for the socio-demographic variables (age and medical coverage system), higher body image dissatisfaction and lower self-esteem significantly predicted lower sleep quality.

Conclusion

Body image dissatisfaction and lower self-esteem were positively linked to sleep disturbance in women with gynecological cancer after undergone radical surgery. These two predictors require systematic evaluation and adequate management to prevent sleep disorders and mental distress as well as improving the quality of life of these patients.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12905-021-01375-5.

Anxio-depressive symptoms in Moroccan women with gynecological cancer: Relief factors

INTRODUCTION

Psychosocial determinants can affect the mental health of women who have been diagnosed with gynecological cancer. The aim of this study was to examine how social support and self-esteem are associated with anxiety and depression symptoms in women with gynecological cancer, and who are treated by radical surgery.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was performed, within the oncology department of Ibn Rochd University Hospital, Casablanca, on 100 Moroccan women. They all had undergone radical surgery for gynecological cancer, hysterectomy and/or oophorectomy.

RESULTS

Our results showed that patients with gynecological cancer treated by radical surgery exhibited high prevalence rates of anxiety (66%) and depression symptoms (59%). Associations showed that age, having children, medical coverage system, area of residence, working status and socioeconomic status were significantly related to the prevalence of anxiety and depression symptoms (P<0.05). The general social support, family support and significant other support besides high self-esteem reduce significantly the risk of getting anxiety and depression symptoms (P-values<0.05).

DISCUSSION

Among patients with gynecological cancer treated by radical surgery, high prevalence of anxiety and depression symptoms was found. Social support and high self-esteem could help improve mental health issues related to this type of cancer.

Symptoms of Internet Gaming Disorder, Inattention, and Impulsivity: a Cross-Sectional Study Conducted in the United Arab Emirates

The addictive use of internet video games is now recognized as a valid diagnostic construct by both the World Health Organization and the American Psychiatric Association. A burgeoning body of preliminary evidence points to a relationship between attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms as being a risk factor for behaviors indicative of internet gaming disorder (IGD), however, studies have rarely examined ADHD's two diagnostic constructs, inattention and impulsivity, separately. Moreover, IGD research is non-existent in Middle Eastern contexts. Therefore, this study examined, separately, the association of IGD with inattention and impulsivity in a sample of gamers from the United Arab Emirates. A cross-sectional survey was completed by 214 participants aged 18-33 years (m_age = 20.64, SD = 4.34) who completed measures of IGD and ADHD, and self-reported daily duration of gameplay as well as a number of demographic characteristics. The pair of hierarchical linear regressions indicated that both the examined constructs, increased symptoms of inattention and impulsivity, were separately associated with elevated risk for engagement in IGD behaviors. However, these associations were not moderated by gender. These results confirm that symptoms of ADHD are indeed associated with IGD and is the first to confirm the presence of this relationship in a Middle Eastern sample.

Problematic Internet Use, Psychopathology, Defense Mechanisms, and Coping Strategies: a Cross-Sectional Study from the United Arab Emirates

A number of studies point to a demonstrated relationship between problematic Internet use (PIU) and psychopathological variables. However, explorations of PIU in relation to defense mechanisms and coping strategies remain rare. The present study sought to determine the extent of PIU among a sample of college-aged young adults resident in the United Arab Emirates. The relationship of PIU to two psychopathological variables (depression and low self-esteem) and two psychological variables (defense mechanisms and coping strategies) were examined. A sample of 697 Emirati participants aged between 18 and 33 years of age completed assessments of PIU, socio-demographic, psychopathological, and psychological variables. A total of 67.3% exhibited PIU. Problematic users produced higher scores for maladaptive coping strategies and for the use of immature, neurotic, and autistic fantasy defenses. Regression analyses revealed that PIU was predicted by the mature, immature, and autistic fantasy defenses as well as, negatively by adaptive coping, and positively by maladaptive coping. These differed when the analyses were repeated on gender-stratified samples. Given that this initial prevalence estimation suggests that PIU may be a substantial issue in this region of the world, future research should examine the mental health risk factors related to PIU, particularly their causal relationships.

Abstinence from social media use, subjective well-being, stress, and loneliness

PURPOSE

Studies with experimental designs in which the association between participants' subjective well-being and their use of social media is studied remain rare. This study tested the effect of abstaining from social media use on participants' well-being, affect, perceived stress, and sense of perceived loneliness.

DESIGN AND METHODS

Randomized, controlled design. Sixty-eight participants were randomized to one of two conditions.

FINDINGS

Those who abstained from social media use, compared with those in the control group, evidenced a decline in life satisfaction, an increase in negative affect, and an increase in loneliness.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

Excessive social media use poses deleterious consequences for users, but abstinence may not necessarily exact positive changes; this outcome is dependent on the functions for which social media are used.