A meta-analysis of the problematic social media use and mental health
The magnitude of the correlations between problematic SM use and mental health indicators can generalize across most moderator conditions.
Abstract
<jats:sec><jats:title>Background:</jats:title><jats:p> Although previous meta-analyses were conducted to quantitatively synthesize the relation between problematic social media (SM) use and mental health, they focused on Facebook addiction. </jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Aims:</jats:title><jats:p> The purpose of this meta-analysis is to examine this relation by extending the research scope via the inclusion of studies examining problematic use of all platforms. </jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Method:</jats:title><jats:p> One hundred and thirty-three independent samples ( N =244,676) were identified. </jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Results:</jats:title><jats:p> As expected, the mean correlations between problematic SM use and well-being are negative, while those between problematic SM use and distress are positive. Life satisfaction and self-esteem are commonly used to represent well-being, while depression and loneliness are usually used to indicate distress. The mean correlations of problematic SM use with life satisfaction and self-esteem are small, whereas those of problematic SM use with depression and loneliness are moderate. The moderating effects of publication status, instruments, platforms and mean age are not significant. </jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Conclusions:</jats:title><jats:p> The magnitude of the correlations between problematic SM use and mental health indicators can generalize across most moderator conditions. </jats:p></jats:sec>