Communication attributes modify the anxiety risk associated with social media addiction: A prospective diary method study

Abstract

Background: Social media has risen beyond a communicational advance to represent a way of being. Increasing mental health problems have been attributed to social media addiction and problematic use, especially among younger people. There is a notable paucity of empirical research that seeks to validate feasible antidotes. To recognize constituent exposures that come with social media use, we tested four dimensions of characteristic communication types (consumption, broadcasting, offline connections, and parasocial interaction) on how they moderate the link between social media addiction (SMA) and anxiety. Methods: A prospective diary-based study was conducted to capture the daily experience of SMA, behavioral profile, and mental well-being. The study recruited 94 valid current undergraduate students at New York University. In total 1009 daily records were completed by 79 participants. Prospective analyses were conducted to evaluate fluctuations in daily anxiety. Generalized estimation equations (GEE) were used to account for repeated measures. Findings: Overall SMA scores and three constituent addition components were associated with higher anxiety levels. Interaction analysis revealed that levels of two communication types, parasocial interaction and consumption, were moderating the association between SMA components and anxiety outcomes. For young adults with higher benchmarks of consumption or parasocial interaction, 1-standard-deviation increase in social conflict was associated with an 11%-13% increase of a standard deviation in anxiety levels in the coming day. And these links did not exist for young adults with low and moderate amounts of consumption scores. Interpretation: High levels of passive consumption and unilateral interactions are strongly intertwined with teething (subclinical) anxiety symptoms such as social conflict. Public health initiatives could reduce perceived anxiety for those afflicted by promoting intentional restrictions on time or exposure to social networking site content and facilitating two-sided online interactions.