Hooked on virtual social life. Problematic social media use and associations with mental distress and addictive disorders
(2021) In PLoS ONE 16(4 April).- Abstract
Background Social media is an important and growing part of the lives of the vast majority of the global population, especially in the young. Although still a young and scarce subject, research has revealed that social media has addictive potential. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to explore the associations between problematic use of social media and mental distress, problematic gaming and gambling, within the Swedish general population. Methods Data from 2,118 respondents was collected through self-report questions on demographics and validated scales measuring addiction-like experiences of social media, problem gaming, problem gambling, and mental distress. Associations were analyzed in unadjusted analyses and–for variables... (More)
Background Social media is an important and growing part of the lives of the vast majority of the global population, especially in the young. Although still a young and scarce subject, research has revealed that social media has addictive potential. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to explore the associations between problematic use of social media and mental distress, problematic gaming and gambling, within the Swedish general population. Methods Data from 2,118 respondents was collected through self-report questions on demographics and validated scales measuring addiction-like experiences of social media, problem gaming, problem gambling, and mental distress. Associations were analyzed in unadjusted analyses and–for variables not exceedingly inter-correlated–in adjusted logistic regression analyses. Results In adjusted analyses, problematic use of social media demonstrated a relationship with younger age, time using instant messaging services, and mental distress, but not with education level, occupational status, or with treatment needs for alcohol or drug problems. Behavioral addictions (internet, gaming and gambling) were substantially inter-correlated, and all were associated with problematic use of social media in unadjusted analyses. Conclusions Social media use is associated with other addictive behaviors and mental distress. While factors of causality remain to be studied, these insights can motivate healthcare professionals to assess social media habits, for example in individuals suffering from issues concerning gambling, gaming or mental health.
(Less)
- author
- Henzel, Vincent and Håkansson, Anders LU
- organization
- publishing date
- 2021
- type
- Contribution to journal
- publication status
- published
- subject
- in
- PLoS ONE
- volume
- 16
- issue
- 4 April
- article number
- e0248406
- publisher
- Public Library of Science (PLoS)
- external identifiers
-
- pmid:33831023
- scopus:85104163407
- ISSN
- 1932-6203
- DOI
- 10.1371/journal.pone.0248406
- language
- English
- LU publication?
- yes
- id
- 347bf05c-0dc6-43eb-ab73-fa3f1a0dd99c
- date added to LUP
- 2021-04-26 10:11:47
- date last changed
- 2024-06-15 10:24:23
@article{347bf05c-0dc6-43eb-ab73-fa3f1a0dd99c,
abstract = {{<p>Background Social media is an important and growing part of the lives of the vast majority of the global population, especially in the young. Although still a young and scarce subject, research has revealed that social media has addictive potential. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to explore the associations between problematic use of social media and mental distress, problematic gaming and gambling, within the Swedish general population. Methods Data from 2,118 respondents was collected through self-report questions on demographics and validated scales measuring addiction-like experiences of social media, problem gaming, problem gambling, and mental distress. Associations were analyzed in unadjusted analyses and–for variables not exceedingly inter-correlated–in adjusted logistic regression analyses. Results In adjusted analyses, problematic use of social media demonstrated a relationship with younger age, time using instant messaging services, and mental distress, but not with education level, occupational status, or with treatment needs for alcohol or drug problems. Behavioral addictions (internet, gaming and gambling) were substantially inter-correlated, and all were associated with problematic use of social media in unadjusted analyses. Conclusions Social media use is associated with other addictive behaviors and mental distress. While factors of causality remain to be studied, these insights can motivate healthcare professionals to assess social media habits, for example in individuals suffering from issues concerning gambling, gaming or mental health.</p>}},
author = {{Henzel, Vincent and Håkansson, Anders}},
issn = {{1932-6203}},
language = {{eng}},
number = {{4 April}},
publisher = {{Public Library of Science (PLoS)}},
series = {{PLoS ONE}},
title = {{Hooked on virtual social life. Problematic social media use and associations with mental distress and addictive disorders}},
url = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0248406}},
doi = {{10.1371/journal.pone.0248406}},
volume = {{16}},
year = {{2021}},
}