The course of problematic social media use in young adolescents: A latent class growth analysis

Social media are many things: Addressing the components and patterns of adolescent social media use

Adolescent development is increasingly shaped by social media contexts, with implications for well-being. In this commentary, we discuss and present conceptual and methodological alternatives for two persistent limitations in prior research. First, most prior work measures screen time, implicitly treating social media as a monolith. Emerging research highlights that social media are multifaceted environments where youth encounter diverse experiences. We advocate for more work taking this nuanced approach and for the development of a comprehensive taxonomic framework that categorizes specific online experiences afforded by social media features and content. To support this approach, we call for the development of psychometrically rigorous self-report scales to measure affective and cognitive social media experiences and for innovative behavioral observation techniques. Second, research that considers specific online experiences typically focuses on one in isolation. We argue that a holistic, interactionist approach to understanding human development requires integrating the numerous positive and negative online experiences that co-occur in distinct patterns for diverse adolescents. We discuss the merits of mixture models as one potential analytic solution to address configurations of online experiences and systematically model heterogeneity among youth. These conceptual and methodological shifts can lead to targeted interventions and policies that recognize the interactive effects of digital experiences.

U.S. Adolescents' Daily Social Media Use and Well-being: Exploring the Role of Addiction-like Social Media Use

Associations between adolescent social media use and well-being are inconclusive, and studies using rigorous methodologies and objective measures are needed. Additionally, attention on what individual differences may moderate linkages between social media and well-being is necessary. We tested 1) how daily social media use (assessed via ecological momentary objective and self-reports) relates to daily subjective well-being, 2) the prevalence and concordance between scholar-defined addiction-like social media use (ASMU) and participant perceptions of social media addiction, 3) how these constructs relate to subjective well-being, and 4) if these constructs moderate daily links between social media use and subjective well-being. In a sample of 103 adolescents (M age=16.48, 47% female), ASMU and perceived addiction were highly correlated but some adolescents' classification differed when cross-referencing. Both were similarly associated with demographics and depressive symptoms. Self-reported, but not objectively-recorded, social media use was related to greater ASMU and perceived addiction. Links between social media use and well-being were inconsistent, with no moderation by ASMU or perceived addiction. Most adolescents endorsed some degree of ASMU, and future research should examine how social media-triggered disruptions to daily functioning relates to well-being.

Work addiction and personality organization: Results from a representative, three-wave longitudinal study

BACKGROUND

Several studies have explored the relationship between personality and work addiction, suggesting that individuals with certain mental disorders, including personality disorders such as obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (OCPD), may be more prone to work addiction. However, the characterization of personality organization (PO) among workaholics and its contribution to the persistence of work addiction remains unclear.

METHODS

In this longitudinal study of a representative sample of young adults (N = 1748), we applied the Bergen Work Addiction Scale and the Inventory of Personality Organization.

RESULTS

We found significant correlations between work addiction and identity diffusion, primitive psychological defenses, reality testing, and overall personality disorganization across three waves. A latent class growth analysis revealed three profiles: no work addiction, increasing work addiction, and constant moderate work addiction. Multinomial logistic regression analysis indicated that higher levels of personality disorganization in wave 1 and increases in personality disorganization between waves 1 and 3 were associated with higher odds of belonging to the increasing work addiction group. Similarly, higher overall personality disorganization in wave 1 was associated with higher odds of belonging to the constant moderate work addiction group.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest that individuals with chronic work addiction have lower levels of PO, and PO declines as work addiction persists. Screenings for work addiction are recommended to prevent potential mental health issues. Future research should explore the influence of workplace characteristics and work motivations on the association between work addiction and personality disorders.

Trajectories of digital flourishing in adolescence: The predictive roles of developmental changes and digital divide factors

Digital flourishing refers to the positive perceptions of digital communication use in five dimensions: connectedness, positive social comparison, authentic self-presentation, civil participation, and self-control. This three-wave panel study among 1081 Slovenian adolescents (Mage = 15.34 years, 53.8% boys, 80.7% ethnic majority) explored the trajectories of their digital flourishing dimensions over 1 year (2021-2022). Latent class growth analysis identified two classes. Adolescents in the first class reported high levels of digital flourishing, which remained stable over time, whereas those in the second class reported low levels of digital flourishing with decreased self-control over time. Autonomy-supportive restrictive, autonomy-supportive active, and controlling active parental mediation styles, together with high parental digital skills, predicted adolescents' belongingness to the (more digitally flourishing) first class.

Problematic social media use in childhood and adolescence

At the time of writing, about 4.59 billion people use social media with many adolescents using their social media accounts across a myriad of applications and platforms. According to recent statistics, in 2022 individuals spent an average of 151 minutes on social media each day, illustrating the global relevance of social media (Dixon, 2022a,b). One of the pressing questions, internationally, is whether social media use is harmful and/or addictive. This question is of particular importance because many teenagers - and younger adolescents - spend considerable time on these platforms, which have increasingly become an integral part of their lives. Moreover, considering lifespan development, adolescents may be particularly vulnerable to specific features and advertisements shown to them on social media platforms. Growing prevalence of poor mental health in young people has led to recent recommendations in the United States to routinely screen for anxiety in 8-18 year olds, and for depression and suicide risk for adolescents between 12-18 years of age (US Preventive Services Task Force et al., 2022 a,b) - the conditions often accompanying problematic social media use. The present work not only provides insights into the current state of the literature but provides also recommendations.

Relationship Between Self-Esteem and Problematic Social Media Use Amongst Chinese College Students: A Longitudinal Study

Purpose

Numerous cross-sectional investigations have delved into the association between the self-esteem of college students and problematic social media use (PSMU). Nevertheless, the debated causal sequence between the two factors persists, and their unclear developmental connection over time prevails.

Methods

We used a questionnaire method to follow 321 students in Chinese college over a period of 18 months and three times, of which 137 are male and 184 are female, with an average age of 18.42 years (SD = 0.78) at time 1. Descriptive statistics were used to present the general characteristics of the study participants. Moreover, the latent growth model was used to explore the developmental trajectory of self-esteem and PSMU and to explore the interplay between the two factors from a developmental perspective. On this basis, a cross-lagged model was used to verify the causal relationship between self-esteem and PSMU.

Results

In China, (a) the self-esteem levels of college students continuously decline during their academic years, whilst PSMU levels steadily increase. (b) The self-esteem of Chinese college students significantly negatively predicts PSMU. (c) The initial level of self-esteem amongst Chinese college students can significantly negatively predict the initial level of PSMU. Additionally, the rate of decline in self-esteem amongst Chinese college students can negatively predict the rate of increase in PSMU.

Conclusion

Obtained results serve as a valuable resource for researchers and educators, enabling strategic intervention in addressing issues related to PSMU amongst college students from a developmental perspective.

The relationship between loneliness and problematic social media usage in Chinese university students: a longitudinal study

BACKGROUND

A significant number of cross-sectional studies have explored the correlation between loneliness and problematic social media use. However, the causal relationship between these two key variables remains controversial, and the developmental relationship over time is unclear.

METHODS

We conducted a one-year longitudinal study with 538 Chinese college students using questionnaires and employing cross-lagged and latent growth models to investigate the causal relationship and developmental dynamics between loneliness and problematic social media use.

RESULTS

The results indicate that (a) loneliness and problematic social media use mutually and positively influence each other, establishing a bidirectional causal relationship; (b) Chinese college students experience a gradual increase in levels of loneliness and problematic social media use during their time in college; and (c) the intercept and slope of loneliness significantly and positively affect the intercept and slope of problematic social media use, and conversely, the intercept and slope of problematic social media use significantly and positively influence the intercept and slope of loneliness.

CONCLUSION

These findings reveal the longitudinal relationship between loneliness and problematic social media use among Chinese college students and offer insights for researchers and educators to intervene in college students' loneliness and problematic social media use from a developmental perspective.

"Youth-focused" versus "whole-family" screen rules: Associations with social media difficulties and moderation by impulsivity

Many parents attempt to limit adolescents' screen time without changing their own habits. We examined whether "whole-family" versus "youth-focused" restrictions differentially predict social media-related difficulties (procrastination and problematic use), and whether adolescents' impulsive social media behaviors moderated these relationships. Among 183 Chinese early adolescents (58.5% female), whole-family rules negatively predicted procrastination. Impulsivity moderated associations between rulemaking approaches and social media difficulties; youth-focused rules negatively predicted procrastination and problematic use for highly impulsive adolescents, while whole-family rules held no associations or predicted increased difficulties. For less impulsive adolescents, however, whole-family rules negatively predicted social media difficulties and youth-focused rules positively predicted problematic use. Results suggest that setting the implementation of screen rules should involve parental participation and consideration of individual differences.

Predicting Adolescents' Problematic Social Media Use From Profiles of Internet-Specific Parenting Practices and General Parenting Dimensions

Although both Internet-specific and general parenting have been linked to adolescents' problematic social media use, until now they have been investigated as separate predictors of this behavior. As specific parenting practices occur in the broader general parenting context, this study examined how different Internet-specific parenting practices (Internet-specific rule setting, reactive restrictions towards Internet use, and co-use) and general parenting dimensions (responsiveness and autonomy-granting) co-occur, and act together in predicting adolescents' problematic social media use. Four-wave data of 400 adolescents (T1: M age = 13.51 years, SD = 2.15, 54% girls) were used. Latent profile analysis identified three parenting profiles: Limiting and less supportive (13.5%), Tolerant and supportive (25.5%), and Limiting and supportive (60.8%). Membership to Tolerant and supportive predicted lower scores on prospective problematic social media use than membership to the other profiles. Besides, membership to Limiting and supportive predicted lower scores on problematic social media use than membership to Limiting and less supportive. No robust moderation effects of adolescents' age and gender were found. These findings suggest that a supportive general parenting context rather than Internet use restrictions should be the focus when considering the prevention of adolescents' problematic social media use.

Trajectories of Perceived Technological Impairment and Psychological Distress in Adolescents

Fears that digital technologies harm adolescents' mental health abound; however, existing research is mixed. This study examined how perceived technological impairment (i.e., perceptions of digital technology interfering with daily life) related to psychological distress across five years in adolescence. A latent curve model with structured residuals was applied to disentangle between-from within-person associations, in which it was tested whether (a) adolescents who increased in their perceptions of technological impairment over time also increased in psychological distress (between-person) and (b) if an adolescent who reported greater perceptions of technological impairment relative to their underlying trajectory at one wave consequently reported greater distress at the subsequent wave (within-person). These associations were tested in a sample of 2104 adolescents (Mage = 12.36; 52% girls; 48% Non-White). Perceived technological impairment and psychological distress increased together over time. Girls and older adolescents (13-15 at baseline) reported greater initial levels of perceived impairment. Younger adolescents (9-12 at baseline) increased more steeply in perceived impairment over time. There was no evidence of longitudinal within-person associations. The findings suggest that although there is evidence of between-person associations in which increases in perceived technological impairment coincide with increases in psychological distress, the absence of within-person associations cautions against a cause-and-effect narrative between digital technology use and mental health.