Excessive social media users demonstrate impaired decision making in the Iowa Gambling Task

The Iowa Gambling Task: Men and Women Perform Differently. A Meta-analysis

The Iowa Gambling Task (IGT) was designed to assess decision-making under conditions of complexity and uncertainty; it is currently one of the most widely used tests to assess decision-making in both experimental and clinical settings. In the original version of the task, participants are given a loan of play money and four decks of cards and are asked to maximize profits. Although any single card unpredictably yields wins/losses, variations in frequency and size of gains/losses ultimately make two decks more advantageous in the long term. Several studies have previously suggested that there may be a sex-related difference in IGT performance. Thus, the present study aimed to explore and quantify sex differences in IGT performance by pooling the results of 110 studies. The meta-analysis revealed that males tend to perform better than females on the classic 100-trial IGT (UMD = 3.381; p < 0.001). Furthermore, the significant heterogeneity observed suggests high variability in the results obtained by individual studies. Results were not affected by publication bias or other moderators. Factors that may contribute to differences in male and female performance are discussed, such as functional sex-related asymmetries in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex and amygdala, as well as differences in sensitivity to wins/losses.

Systematic research is needed on the potential effects of lifelong technology experience on cognition: a mini-review and recommendations

Digital technology now occupies a fundamental space in human life. Increasingly sophisticated access to information and social interactions has enabled a sort of offloading of many aspects of cognition, and for many people, this technology use has been lifelong. While the global development of technologies advances exponentially as part of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, researchers have not yet fully characterized the human effects of this technology-centric revolution at the same pace. In this mini-review, we consider three important higher-level cognitive functions: creativity, adaptability, and decision-making, and discuss their potential relationship to lifelong digital technology experience, which here includes both passive exposure and active use of electronic devices. We then articulate the gaps in related literature and knowledge, and outline general considerations, suggestions, and challenges for future research avenues. In general, we found that prior research has investigated uses of specific technology products on lower-level cognition (e.g., how does the use of online search engines affect memory?), but there is a lack of research assessing the overall effects of technology experience on cognitive functioning, particularly complex cognition.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of risky decision-making in specific domains of problematic use of the internet: Evidence across different decision-making tasks

This systematic review summarizes empirical evidence on risky decision-making (objective risk and ambiguity) in specific domains of problematic use of the internet (PUI) focusing on online addictive behaviors. We conducted a pre-registered (PROSPERO: CRD42020188452) PubMed search for PUI domains: gaming, social-network use, online buying-shopping, online pornography use, and unspecified PUI. We used the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale for quality assessment. Relevant studies were identified only for gaming (n = 19), social-network use (n = 8), unspecified PUI (n = 7), and online gambling (n = 1). The meta-analyses included 25 studies (2498 participants) comparing PUI and control groups regarding decision-making performance under objective risk and ambiguity. Across PUI domains, individuals with PUI compared to control participants showed more disadvantageous decision-making in measures of objective risk (g = -0.42 [-0.69, -0.16], p = .002) but not ambiguity (g = -0.22 [-0.47, -0.04], p = .096). PUI domain and gender were significant moderators. In the risk domain, effects were particularly present in gaming disorder, especially in exclusively male samples. Overall, the paucity of empirical studies in the considered area necessitates further research to identify probable gender- and disorder-specific cognitive relationships.

Social media use and abuse: Different profiles of users and their associations with addictive behaviours

Introduction

Social media use has become increasingly prevalent worldwide. Simultaneously, concerns surrounding social media abuse/problematic use, which resembles behavioural and substance addictions, have proliferated. This has prompted the introduction of 'Social Media Addiction' [SMA], as a condition requiring clarifications regarding its definition, assessment and associations with other addictions. Thus, this study aimed to: (a) advance knowledge on the typology/structure of SMA symptoms experienced and: (b) explore the association of these typologies with addictive behaviours related to gaming, gambling, alcohol, smoking, drug abuse, sex (including porn), shopping, internet use, and exercise.

Methods

A sample of 968 [Mage = 29.5, SDage = 9.36, nmales = 622 (64.3 %), nfemales = 315, (32.5 %)] adults was surveyed regarding their SMA experiences, using the Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale (BSMAS). Their experiences of Gaming, Internet, Gambling, Alcohol, Cigarette, Drug, Sex, Shopping and Exercise addictions were additionally assessed, and latent profile analysis (LPA) was implemented.

Results

Three distinct profiles were revealed, based on the severity of one's SMA symptoms: 'low', 'moderate' and 'high' risk. Subsequent ANOVA analyses suggested that participants classified as 'high' risk indicated significantly higher behaviours related to internet, gambling, gaming, sex and in particular shopping addictions.

Conclusions

Results support SMA as a unitary construct, while they potentially challenge the distinction between technological and behavioural addictions. Findings also imply that the assessment of those presenting with SMA behaviours, as well as prevention and intervention targeting SMA at risk groups, should consider other comorbid addictions.

The influence of Facebook intrusion and task context on cognitive control

Social networking sites, especially Facebook, have become increasingly popular over the past decades. However, besides the benefits of using Facebook, negative effects in the form of Facebook intrusion are also increasingly pointed out. Much of the research focuses on personality, emotional and social factors related to Facebook intrusion. However, there has been limited research on the relationship between this type of behavioural addiction and cognitive functioning. Consequently, the current study aimed to verify the relationship between Facebook intrusion and cognitive control in light of the dual mechanism of cognitive control model. Additionally, the study aim was to verify the impact of the Facebook-related context on cognitive control (proactive and reactive modes) compared to neutral and positive contexts. The participants (N = 82 young adults, 57 female, M = 22.24 years, SD = 2.67 years, age range 18-35 years) were divided into two groups based on their level of Facebook intrusion. The Facebook intrusion scale was used to assess the level of Facebook intrusion. The AX-CPT task was used to assess proactive and reactive control modes in three task contexts: Facebook-related, neutral and positive. The current study results show that the participants with high Facebook intrusion had greater reactive control than participants with low Facebook intrusion. The differences between Facebook-related, neutral context and positive context were not found. However, the present findings demonstrate the interaction between Facebook intrusion and task context in cognitive control. More specifically, participants with low Facebook intrusion had greater proactive control than participants with high Facebook intrusion in the Facebook-related and positive context.

The Impact of Social Media Salience on the Subjective Value of Social Cues

Like face-to-face interactions, evidence shows that interacting on social media is rewarding. However, the rewards associated with social media are subject to unpredictable delays, which may shape how they are experienced. Specifically, these delays might enhance the subjective desirability of social rewards and subsequent reward-seeking behavior by sensitizing people to the presence of such rewards. Here, we ask whether thinking about a recent social media post or conversation influences the subjective value of monetary and social rewards. Across two studies, we find that individuals who are thinking about a recent social media post are more likely to sacrifice small financial gains for the chance to see a genuine smile (a social reward) compared with those who are thinking about a recent conversation. This suggests that rather than satisfying social needs, thinking about social media interactions enhances the subjective value of social rewards, potentially explaining the incentive value of social media.

Problematic Social Media Use and Academic Performance among University Students: An Evaluation from The Middle East

Background:

The widespread use of social media applications generated a problematic behavior of excessive and inappropriate use that has been associated with mental health problems. Available data assessed this behavior using different surrogate markers in certain university majors. This study aims to assess the effect of this behavior on academic performance, using a validated tool, across different majors.

Methods:

A cross-sectional study that randomly recruited university students from three Middle Eastern countries. using an online survey. The study included 277 participants with an average age of 21.53±2.1 years. The problematic social media use (PSMU) was evaluated using the Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale (BSMAS) and academic performance was evaluated using the GPA. Data regarding the demographics and the characteristic of social media use were collected.

Results:

PMSU was identified as an independent predictor of academic performance. The low academic performance group was more likely to use social media applications during the night, which negatively affected the ability to wake up the next day and be ready for exams.

Conclusion:

There is a need for a more large-scale systematic evaluation of the extent of PSMU and its effect on academic performance among university students at both the regional and international levels. These analyses will help in building effective interventions to reduce the impact of PSMU on university students.

Directing Technology Addiction Research in Information Systems

In this second part of a series of articles to direct technology addiction research in the information systems discipline, we discuss the history, conceptualization, and measurement of technology addiction. We admit that it is possible to label the phenomenon as overuse or excessive use as long as it is defined and measured by the presence and the magnitude of the six core symptoms of behavioral addictions: salience, mood modification, tolerance, withdrawal, conflict, and relapse. The advantage of this terminology is that it does not attribute one's problems to helplessness and does not pathologize the behavior, implying that it may possibly be corrected. Nevertheless, we posit that the term technology addiction is currently the most reasonable choice that may need to be adjusted as we learn more about this phenomenon and its potential similarities to and differences from established behavioral addictions. Dependence, obsessive/compulsive use, and pathological/problem use terms should not be used as synonyms for technology addiction as a form of mental disorder. Researchers should not include the name of the IT artifact as the subject of addiction (e.g., "Facebook addiction"). Instead, they should focus on the activity that is mediated through the IT artifact (e.g., "addiction to Facebook use").

Loneliness and Social Media Use Among Adolescents with Psychiatric Disorders

Studies have demonstrated that a prolonged feeling of loneliness is a major risk factor for psychopathology among children and adolescents. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between patterns of social media use with loneliness and psychopathology among 65 adolescents who were diagnosed with psychiatric disorders and treated at a psychiatric outpatient clinic in Israel. Social capital (online and offline) was negatively associated with loneliness. There was no association between loneliness and patterns of social media use, age, gender, psychiatric diagnosis, or disease severity. Our findings indicate that both online and offline social capital are associated with loneliness, and highlight the importance of studying the effect of peer online social support in alleviating loneliness.

Need for cognition moderates the impairment of decision making caused by nightshift work in nurses

The current study explores the effect of nightshift work on the decision-making competence and performance of the Iowa Gambling Task (IGT) and analyzes whether individual differences in the need for cognition (NFC) can moderate this effect. A total of 107 female nurses were recruited to complete the decision-making competence scale and IGT at two times, after a night shift and after a day shift. The results revealed that the IGT scores and decision-making competence of nurses after nightshift work significantly declined, and also that the decrease in decision-making competence was related to the nurses’ performance of the IGT. Additionally, the decreasing degree of IGT and decision-making competence scores of the high-NFC group were significantly lower than those of the low-NFC group after nightshift work. In can be concluded that the decrease in decision-making competence which was related with poor decision-making due to nightshift work. NFC moderated the effect of nightshift work on decision-making.

Decision Making and Risk Propensity in Individuals with Tendencies towards Specific Internet-Use Disorders

The uncontrolled use of specific Internet applications is increasingly recognized as a mental health issue. Gaming disorder, which is one subtype of specific Internet-use disorders (sIUDs), has been included in the ICD-11 as disorder due to addictive behaviors. Addictive disorders are assumed to be accompanied by cognitive deficits as indicated by weaker performance in executive function and risky decision-making tasks. This study investigates risky decision-making in individuals with tendencies towards sIUDs including gaming, online buying-shopping, and social-networks-use disorders. A total of 293 individuals participated in the study. Based on specific screening instruments, the participants were assigned to a group with tendencies towards sIUD or a control group. Participants completed a risky decision-making task and questionnaires assessing risk-taking propensity, impulsivity, psychopathology, and perceived stress. The group with sIUD tendencies showed higher attentional impulsivity and higher levels of depression and anxiety compared to the control group. The groups did not differ in decision making and risk propensity. Decision making did not have significant effects on sIUD symptoms. Risk for developing sIUDs does not appear to be accompanied by altered general decision-making tendencies. Rather, psychological (pre-)load and attentional deficits appear to be relevant features in uncontrolled use of the Internet.

Problematic Social Networking Site use-effects on mental health and the brain

The association between excessive use of Social Networking Sites (SNS) and mental health is raising serious concern among health and education professionals. Problematic SNS use has been associated with an increased rate of depression, anxiety, stress, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and propensity to excessive alcohol use. It may also lead to vulnerability to aggression, cyberbullying and fear of missing out (FOMO). There is little evidence for cognitive impairments, but there is some preliminary event-related potentials (ERPs) evidence for inefficiency in allocating and monitoring resources and inhibitory control. Problematic SNS has been associated with the personality traits of conscientiousness agreeableness and neuroticism, and with narcissism. There is evidence for reduced sleep quality and quantity, longer sleeping latency and more sleep disturbance. The few brain imaging studies show some similarity between problematic SNS use and other addictions related to inhibitory-control mechanism, reduced gray matter volumes in the nucleus accumbens, amygdala, and the insula, suggesting rewarding effects of SNS use on the brain. Finally, there is preliminary evidence that treatment with Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) can assist in short-term abstinence intervention to treat problematic SNS use. We conclude that problematic SNS use may have deleterious effects on emotional and social relationships, and more research is required on its effects on cognitive and brain function.

Problematic smartphone use: The role of reward processing, depressive symptoms and self-control

The widespread adoption of smartphones has been associated with the emergence of problematic smartphone use. Problematic smartphone use is consistently associated with increased levels of depression and lower self-control, and pathological technology use more generally may be associated with reduced activity in the reward system, an effect that is also observed in depression and with poor self-control. The current study sought to examine the association between problematic smartphone use and event-related potentials (ERPs) related to reward processing, and to determine whether reward processing, depressive symptoms and self-control have shared or unique influences on problematic smartphone use. The sample was drawn from a university student population (N = 94, age M = 19.34, SD = 1.23 years, 67 female, 25 male, 1 gender non-conforming, 1 unidentified). Participants performed a gambling task while EEG was recorded and completed measures of smartphone pathology, depressive symptoms and self-control. The ERP data revealed that increasing problematic smartphone use was associated with reduced ERP amplitude for gains and losses when individuals were the agent of choice, but not when the computer chose. This may reflect a selective association between problematic smartphone use and neural prediction errors. Regression analyses revealed that reward processing, depressive symptoms and self-control were predictors of problematic smartphone use, possibly revealing multiple pathways to problematic smartphone use.

Problematic social media use and social support received in real-life versus on social media: Associations with depression, anxiety and social isolation

Social media platforms allow people to connect with each other and obtain social rewards. In some individuals, these reinforcing rewards can induce maladaptive, problematic social media use, with symptoms similar to substance use disorders. This problematic social media use has been associated with poorer mental health. Previous studies have demonstrated that social support can protect against poor mental health. People can receive social support both in real-life and on social media, however, so we investigated whether these two types of social support mediate the relationship between problematic social media use and poor mental health. We conducted an online survey, collecting measures of problematic social media use and mental health (depression, anxiety, and social isolation), as well as measures of real-life social support and social support received on social media. We then performed a path analysis on these data. Our analysis revealed that problematic social media use was significantly associated with decreased real-life social support and increased social support on social media. Importantly, real-life social support was then associated with reduced depression, anxiety, and social isolation, while social support on social media was not associated with these mental health measures. Our findings reveal the value of real-life social support when considering the relationship between problematic social media use and mental health. Implications for further research and practice are discussed.

Social-networks-related stimuli interferes decision making under ambiguity: Interactions with cue-induced craving and problematic social-networks use

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Social-networks-use disorder is discussed as a potential further type of disorders due to addictive behaviors. Theoretical models assume cue-induced craving and disadvantageous decision making to be relevant mechanisms. This study investigates if the presentation of social-networks-related cues interferes with decision making under ambiguity.

METHODS

Craving was induced with a cue-reactivity paradigm and assessed with a visual analogue scale. Participants (N = 146) played a modified Iowa Gambling Task with social-networks-related cues and neutral cues presented on the advantageous and disadvantageous decks respectively, or vice versa. Symptoms of social-networks-use disorder were measured with a modified version of the short Internet Addiction Test.

RESULTS

Overall, participants chose options with neutral cues more often than those with social-networks-related cues, even if it was disadvantageous. There was a significant interaction between decision-making performance and Iowa Gambling Task condition in predicting symptom severity. The results indicate that choosing decks with social-networks-related cues even if it was disadvantageous is associated with higher tendencies towards a social-networks-use disorder. The interaction with cue-induced craving did not explain further variance.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS

The results highlight the relevance of cue reactivity, decision making, and their interaction as potential mechanisms explaining tendencies towards a social-networks-use disorder. Decision making was influenced by affective responses, which could result in a higher risk of a potential addictive behavior. This is consistent with the findings from addiction research and with theoretical approaches assuming an imbalance between affective and cognitive processes in addictive behaviors.

Deficits in executive functions but not in decision making under risk in individuals with problematic social-network use

BACKGROUND

The tendency to strive for immediate gratification by neglecting potential negative long-term outcomes characterizes addictive behaviors, such as substance use or gaming disorder. Problematic social-network use is currently discussed as another potential addictive behavior, which is considered to result from an imbalance between affective and cognitive processes, indicated by traits such as increased impulsivity and/or decreased executive functions and decision-making abilities.

METHODS

This study investigates the respective functions in social-network users by use of the Cards and Lottery Task (CLT) - a decision-making task under risk conditions in which options contain conflicting immediate and long-term outcomes at the same time. A sample of German and Spanish participants (N = 290) performed the CLT as well as the Modified Card Sorting Test (MCST), Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS), the short Internet Addiction Test specified for social-networking (sIAT-SNS), and screeners on other potentially problematic behaviors.

RESULTS

Comparing extreme groups based on sIAT-SNS scores (1SD above/below mean), individuals with problematic social-network use (n = 56), as compared to those with non-problematic social-network use (n = 50), showed increased attentional impulsivity and reduced executive functions. No differences were observed in decision-making performance.

CONCLUSION

The findings indicate that problematic social-network use is related to attentional rather than general decision-making deficits. Furthermore, problematic social-network use is likely to co-occur with other problematic Internet-use behaviors, particularly gaming or shopping.

Evaluation of Internet Gaming Disorder, Social Media Addiction, and Levels of Loneliness in Adolescents and Youth with Substance Use

Substance use and addictive disorders are among the most significant public health concerns, particularly during adolescence. The current study aims to investigate internet gaming disorder, social media addiction, and loneliness levels in adolescents and youths with substance use. Methods: The study group consisted of 93 adolescents and youths aged 15-24 who presented to the Alcohol and Substance Addiction Research and Application Center or the Child and Adolescent Mental Health and Diseases outpatient clinic for substance use. Ninety-one healthy volunteers who did not use substances during any period of their lives participated as a control group. The participants fulfilled the Social Media Addiction Scale (SMAS), Internet Gaming Disorder Scale - Short-Form (IGDS9-SF), UCLA Loneliness Scale (UCLA-LS), and Drug Use Disorders Identification Test - Extended (DUDIT-E). Results: The symptoms of internet gaming disorder were significantly lower in the patient group compared with the control group. Although it was not significant, social media addiction was higher in the patient group than in the control group. The experience of loneliness was significantly higher in the patient group than in the control group. A significant negative correlation was found between treatment motivation and loneliness. Conclusions: School guidance teachers should monitor children who do not have friends or are lonely and be aware of the potential for substance use because it can emerge as a method of coping with the feeling of loneliness among adolescents. In future studies, investigating comprehensive factors contributing to different addictive behaviors may help to clarify the co-occurrence.

Snapchat vs. Facebook: Differences in problematic use, behavior change attempts, and trait social reward preferences

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Participants spent more time on Snapchat than Facebook.

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Participants reported more problematic use of Snapchat than Facebook.

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Participants reported more attempts to quit Facebook than Snapchat.

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Trait social rewards were positively associated with problematic social media use.

Introduction

Facebook and Snapchat employ different features for encouraging repeated, reinforced use of their platforms. Importantly, this repeated use can become maladaptive and problematic. We sought to understand differences between these platforms in regard to problematic use, and its motivations and outcomes. We specifically focused on trait social reward preferences as important yet overlooked motivations. We also focused on quit and use reduction attempts as important yet overlooked outcomes.

Methods

Participants (N = 472) responded to an online survey that assessed their Snapchat and Facebook use, as well as trait social reward preferences.

Results

Our findings, with individuals who used both Snapchat and Facebook, revealed that (a) participants reported more time on Snapchat than Facebook, as well as more problematic use of Snapchat than Facebook, nevertheless (b) they reported more attempts to quit Facebook than Snapchat, with no difference in use reduction attempts between platforms, and (c) trait social reward dimensions – admiration, negative social potency, and sociability – were positively associated with problematic Snapchat use, and only negative social potency was positively associated with problematic Facebook use.

Conclusions

These findings demonstrate the relevance of social media platform features and social reward preferences in problematic social media use. Implications for further research and practice are discussed.

FRN and P3 during the Iowa gambling task: The importance of gender

Previous research has shown gender-related psychobiological differences in risky and competitive strategies that affect win and loss outcomes. In addition, some studies have found differences in the decision-making process, with women taking longer to reach the same performance as men. However, the underlying neural mechanisms remain unclear. The present study aimed to investigate gender differences in behavioral performance and neural correlates during a decision-making task, the Iowa Gambling Task (IGT). Forty healthy young adults (23 men and 17 women) performed the IGT while the feedback-related negativity (FRN) and P3 were recorded as neural correlates of feedback processing. No gender differences were observed in the behavioral performance on the IGT after 100 and 150 trials, or in the P3 component. In women, but not in men, the FRN component showed a greater amplitude for losses than for wins. There were no significant gender-related differences in behavioral performance, and men and women revealed a similar learning process on the IGT. At the neural level, no direct differences between men and women were observed in the feedback processing stage for the FRN or P3. However, our results indicate that women showed greater sensitivity to losses than to wins during the decision-making task, as reflected in the FRN component.

Dorsolateral prefrontal cortex response to negative tweets relates to executive functioning

Cognitive performance can become impaired when a stimulus evokes an emotional response. Social media often elicits emotional reactions, but, despite social media's ubiquity, cognitive and neural consequences of exposure to negative online content are relatively unknown. Fifty-seven human adults (18-29 years; 38 female) who identified with at least one historically-marginalized group performed a novel 'Tweet Task'. While undergoing functional magnetic resonance imaging, participants completed a spatial reasoning task before and after reading a set of actual tweets. Participants were randomly assigned to read negative, discriminatory tweets from President Trump (Negative Condition) or neutral tweets (Neutral Condition). Participants in the Negative Condition reported worsening affect and demonstrated performance interference post-tweet compared to those in the Neutral Condition. Affect post-tweet was associated with parametric reductions in left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, which predicted variance in performance beyond elicited negative affect. Performance effects were demonstrated on an unrelated spatial reasoning task suggesting that engaging with negative, emotionally-arousing content on social media can have deleterious effects on executive functioning in non-social domains.

Cognitive Correlates in Gaming Disorder and Social Networks Use Disorder: a Comparison

Purpose of Review

This overview aims at summarizing studies, which investigated cognitive correlates of gaming disorder and of a problematic use of social networks by using behavioral experimental paradigms and brain imaging techniques.

Recent Findings

Based on theoretical models, inhibition/inhibitory control, attentional bias, executive functions, decision-making, and working memory capabilities have been identified as cognitive components, which are assumed to play a crucial role in the development and maintenance of an addictive behavior. A systematic search shows that various studies have already examined the involvement of different cognitive components in both types of potential addictive behaviors. However, the number of studies addressing cognitive correlates of social networks use disorder is very much lower compared with gaming disorder, even if there is a positive trend in terms of new publications in recent years.

Summary

Cognitive correlates have been frequently investigated in gaming disorder, as in many other disorders due to substance use or addictive behaviors. Studies on cognitive aspects involved in a problematic social networks use are still rare, but they are needed in order to further show if this phenomenon may also deserve a classification as addictive disorder. Interactions between different cognitive and affective processes are still understudied in both gaming disorder and problematic social networks use.

Cognitive biases and excessive use of social media: The facebook implicit associations test (FIAT)

Many theoretical accounts of addictive behaviors, including models of Internet use disorders, implicate cognitive biases in the formation and maintenance of excessive behaviors. Yet, little empirical evidence regarding the role of such biases, including implicit attitude, in the development and maintenance of excessive use of social media exists. We seek to bridge this gap in this study. To this end, we present the development of the Facebook Implicit Association Test (FIAT) and employ it in a sample of 220 Facebook users. The results (1) confirm the validity of the concept of implicit attitude and its measure in the context of social media, (2) demonstrate that implicit attitude is significantly positively associated with excessive use scores, in a magnitude similar to that observed for associations with substance use, and (3) show that implicit attitude is sheltered against social desirability bias, unlike self-reported and explicit measures, such as excessive use. Overall, this study builds theoretical and methodological foundations for further inquiries into the role of implicit attitude in research on the excessive use of social media.

Problematic Social Media Use and Perceived Social Isolation in Older Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study

BACKGROUND

Social isolation in older adults is associated with numerous adverse health outcomes. In today's digital society, if individuals perceive themselves to be socially isolated, they can take steps to interact with others on social media platforms. Research with younger adults indicates that social media use is positively linked to social isolation. However, less is known about social media use and social isolation in older adults.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to investigate the possible association between social isolation and degree of social media use in older adults.

METHODS

Using Internet sources, we recruited 213 participants (79.8% female; mean age 62.6 years, SD 8.3) who responded to an online survey focusing on living situation, depression, social isolation, and 2 measures of social media use: estimated daily time on social media and problematic social media use. Next, using binary logistic regression, we assessed associations between social isolation and social media use.

RESULTS

Our analyses failed to identify a relationship between perceived social isolation and estimated daily time on social media; however, higher problematic social media use was associated with higher perceived social isolation (OR 1.17).

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

Although no causal attribution can be made, our findings demonstrate an association between problematic social media use and perceived social isolation in older adults. Researchers conducting social media interventions in older adults should note this potential and monitor maladaptive use of these platforms. Overall, our results provide an important starting point for future studies on social media use and social isolation in older adults.