Publication Date

5-2024

Advisor(s) - Committee Chair

Matthew Woodward, Andrew Mienaltowski, Aaron Wichman

Degree Program

Department of Psychological Sciences

Degree Type

Master of Science

Abstract

The relationship between social media use and mental health outcomes among young populations has been a cause for increasing concern in research. However, the directionality of these relationships remains ambiguous due to existing literature being largely cross-sectional and having limited focus on individual platforms. This study aimed to explore the bidirectional relationship between social media use across prominent platforms and various mental healthrelated outcomes among young adults. A sample of 203 young adults, ages 18-29, completed baseline and 6-month follow-up assessments measuring social media use across Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat, as well as measures of depression, anxiety, and perceived friend support. Cross-lagged panel models were used to examine bidirectional associations between social media use and mental health variables over time. No significant cross-lagged effects were observed, indicating that social media use across the examined platforms did not predict changes in anxiety, depression, or perceived friend support over time, or vice versa. These findings are consistent with existing longitudinal literature, suggesting lack of associations between social media use and mental health outcomes when examined longitudinally. The results challenge prevalent narratives linking social media use to adverse mental health outcomes contributing to the evolving understanding of the relationship between social media use and mental health outcomes among young adults. These results emphasize the need for nuanced research approaches and policy development to promote positive mental well-being in the digital age.

Disciplines

Clinical Psychology | Community Psychology | Psychology | Social and Behavioral Sciences

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