Social Media in Adolescents: A Retrospective Correlational Study on Addiction
Considering the growing interest in the possible effects of internet’s addiction on adoles-cent’s mental health, this study aimed at exploring the psychological correlates of social media and internet problematic use during the first year of the covid-19 pandemic. A cross-sectional study was conduct...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2023-01-01
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| Series: | Children |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/10/2/278 |
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| author | Rebecca Ciacchini Graziella Orrù Elisa Cucurnia Silvia Sabbatini Francesca Scafuto Alessandro Lazzarelli Mario Miccoli Angelo Gemignani Ciro Conversano |
| author_facet | Rebecca Ciacchini Graziella Orrù Elisa Cucurnia Silvia Sabbatini Francesca Scafuto Alessandro Lazzarelli Mario Miccoli Angelo Gemignani Ciro Conversano |
| author_sort | Rebecca Ciacchini |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Considering the growing interest in the possible effects of internet’s addiction on adoles-cent’s mental health, this study aimed at exploring the psychological correlates of social media and internet problematic use during the first year of the covid-19 pandemic. A cross-sectional study was conducted in a sample of secondary school students (N = 258); participants were asked to complete an online survey, investigating social media addiction (BSMAS), self-esteem (RSES), feelings of isolation (CSIQ-A) and anxiety (STAI-Y). Data analysis (descriptive statistics, correlational and regression analyses) was conducted through XLSTAT software ©. An additional ad hoc questionnaire was administrated. Findings showed that the 11% of the participants were significantly addicted to social media, mostly females (59%). Gender represented an exposure factor for the hours spent on social media and the checking activity while performing other daily activities. Significant correlations emerged between the self-report measure of social media addiction and self-esteem and anxiety. Low scores at RSES corresponded to higher checking activity, hours spent on social networks, and playing videogames that were investigated as supplementary indicators of addiction with ad hoc questionnaire. The regression analysis showed just two predictors of social media addiction, gender (female) and trait anxiety. Limitations and implications of the study were argued in order to give some indications for future programs. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T08:59:35Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-1a37be5eda7e403c96a373d5a27f50f0 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2227-9067 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T08:59:35Z |
| publishDate | 2023-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Children |
| spelling | doaj.art-1a37be5eda7e403c96a373d5a27f50f02023-11-16T19:48:31ZengMDPI AGChildren2227-90672023-01-0110227810.3390/children10020278Social Media in Adolescents: A Retrospective Correlational Study on AddictionRebecca Ciacchini0Graziella Orrù1Elisa Cucurnia2Silvia Sabbatini3Francesca Scafuto4Alessandro Lazzarelli5Mario Miccoli6Angelo Gemignani7Ciro Conversano8Department of Surgical, Medical and Molecular Pathology and Critical Care Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, ItalyDepartment of Surgical, Medical and Molecular Pathology and Critical Care Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, ItalyDepartment of Surgical, Medical and Molecular Pathology and Critical Care Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, ItalyDepartment of Surgical, Medical and Molecular Pathology and Critical Care Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, ItalyDepartment of Surgical, Medical and Molecular Pathology and Critical Care Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, ItalyDepartment of Civilizations and Forms of Knowledge, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, ItalyDepartment of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, ItalyDepartment of Surgical, Medical and Molecular Pathology and Critical Care Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, ItalyDepartment of Surgical, Medical and Molecular Pathology and Critical Care Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, ItalyConsidering the growing interest in the possible effects of internet’s addiction on adoles-cent’s mental health, this study aimed at exploring the psychological correlates of social media and internet problematic use during the first year of the covid-19 pandemic. A cross-sectional study was conducted in a sample of secondary school students (N = 258); participants were asked to complete an online survey, investigating social media addiction (BSMAS), self-esteem (RSES), feelings of isolation (CSIQ-A) and anxiety (STAI-Y). Data analysis (descriptive statistics, correlational and regression analyses) was conducted through XLSTAT software ©. An additional ad hoc questionnaire was administrated. Findings showed that the 11% of the participants were significantly addicted to social media, mostly females (59%). Gender represented an exposure factor for the hours spent on social media and the checking activity while performing other daily activities. Significant correlations emerged between the self-report measure of social media addiction and self-esteem and anxiety. Low scores at RSES corresponded to higher checking activity, hours spent on social networks, and playing videogames that were investigated as supplementary indicators of addiction with ad hoc questionnaire. The regression analysis showed just two predictors of social media addiction, gender (female) and trait anxiety. Limitations and implications of the study were argued in order to give some indications for future programs.https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/10/2/278social media addictionanxietyself-esteemadolescencedevelopmental psychology |
| spellingShingle | Rebecca Ciacchini Graziella Orrù Elisa Cucurnia Silvia Sabbatini Francesca Scafuto Alessandro Lazzarelli Mario Miccoli Angelo Gemignani Ciro Conversano Social Media in Adolescents: A Retrospective Correlational Study on Addiction Children social media addiction anxiety self-esteem adolescence developmental psychology |
| title | Social Media in Adolescents: A Retrospective Correlational Study on Addiction |
| title_full | Social Media in Adolescents: A Retrospective Correlational Study on Addiction |
| title_fullStr | Social Media in Adolescents: A Retrospective Correlational Study on Addiction |
| title_full_unstemmed | Social Media in Adolescents: A Retrospective Correlational Study on Addiction |
| title_short | Social Media in Adolescents: A Retrospective Correlational Study on Addiction |
| title_sort | social media in adolescents a retrospective correlational study on addiction |
| topic | social media addiction anxiety self-esteem adolescence developmental psychology |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/10/2/278 |
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