JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Adolescent mental health concerns are rising in the U.S., with social media often cited as a contributing factor, though research findings remain mixed. A key limitation is the simplistic view of social media use, which fails to consistently predict well-being. Scholars call for a more nuanced framework and a better understanding of how social media use influences adolescent mental health through various psychosocial mechanisms.

Objective:

Utilizing the Multidimensional Model of Social Media Use, we explored how four activities with various content characteristics (intimate directed communication, intimate broadcasting, positive broadcasting, and positive content consumption) associated with depression and anxiety through three psychosocial mediators: social support, approval anxiety, and social comparison.

Methods:

Cross-sectional survey data were collected through Qualtrics panel service from a sample of adolescents whose gender and racial/ethnic distributions were nationally representative (N = 2105, Mage = 15.39, SD = 1.82). Participants passed attention checks to ensure data validity. Measures included nine validated scales (Cronbach’s α = .83 to .91): four social media activities (intimate directed communication, intimate broadcasting, positive broadcasting, and positive content consumption), three mediators (social support, approval anxiety, and social comparison), and two mental health outcomes (depression and anxiety). Using Mplus, two-step structural equation modeling was performed. Confirmatory factor analysis established scale validity, and path analysis tested the hypothesized and exploratory associations between social media activities, mediators, and mental health, controlling for demographic covariates and amount of phone use. Model fit criteria (CFI, TLI being close to or greater than .95; RMSEA being smaller than .08) were met. Significance was determined using a false discovery rate control, with the familywise Type I error rate set at .05.

Results:

Results showed that positive broadcasting was associated with lower depression (β = -.14, p < .001) and anxiety (β = -.06, p = .032) mainly through the direct paths. The other three activities were related to more mental health problems. Specifically, intimate directed communication was associated with greater depression (β = .06, p = .032) and anxiety (β = .06, p = .036); intimate broadcasting was associated with greater anxiety (β = .07, p = .015); positive content consumption was related to higher depression (β = .13, p < .001). Approval anxiety and/or social comparison played a salient role in these total effects.

Conclusions:

Findings highlight the importance of distinguishing social media activities when assessing risks and benefits. Intimate directed communication, intimate broadcasting, and positive content consumption became risk factors for increased anxiety and depression through approval anxiety, social comparison, or both. Positive broadcasting was related to better mental health because of its direct associations with lower depression and anxiety.