JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

While social networking service (SNS) has become popular among young people, problematic SNS use also increased. However, little is known about SNS addiction and its associations with SNS use patterns and mental health status.

Objective:

This study aims to test the mediating role of SNS addiction between SNS use patterns and mental health status among Chinese university students in Hong Kong.

Methods:

An online cross-sectional survey was conducted using a convenience sampling method. 533 university students (66.9% female, mean age [years]/SD=20.87[2.68]) were recruited from February to March 2019. Multiple linear regression was used to assess the association between SNS use and SNS addiction. Structural equation modelling was performed to examine the pathways and associations among SNS use, SNS addiction, psychosocial status, and mental health status (including anxiety and depressive symptoms).

Results:

Longer time on SNS use per day (>3 hrs), a longer period of SNS use each time (≥31mins), higher frequency of SNS use (≤ every 30 mins), a longer period of SNS use before sleeping (≥ 61 mins) and shorter period of first SNS use upon waking (i.e., ≤ 5 mins) were significantly associated with a higher level of SNS addiction (adjusted B [aB]=6.03, 95% CI=4.66, 7.40; aB=4.99, 95% CI=3.14, 6.83; aB=5.89, 95% CI=4.14, 7.64; aB=5.92, 95%CI=4.19, 7.65, and aB=3.27, 95%CI=1.73, 4.82, respectively). SEM showed a significant mediating effect of SNS addiction in the relationship between SNS use and psychosocial status, and mental health status, including the indirect effect (β=.63, 95%CI=0.37, 0.93) and total effect (β=.44, 95%CI=0.19, 0.72), while the direct effect was insignificant (β=-.19, 95%CI=-0.49, 0.08).

Conclusions:

SNS use patterns were associated with SNS addiction, and SNS addiction mediated the associations between SNS use, psychosocial status, and mental health status of Chinese university students in Hong Kong.