Problematic Social Media Use in Sexual and Gender Minority Young Adults: Observational Study

Abstract

Background Sexual and gender minority (SGM) individuals experience minority stress, especially when they lack social support. SGM young adults may turn to social media in search of a supportive community; however, social media use can become problematic when it interferes with functioning. Problematic social media use may be associated with experiences of minority stress among SGM young adults. Objective The objective of this study is to examine the associations among social media use, SGM-related internalized stigma, emotional social support, and depressive symptoms in SGM young adults. Methods Participants were SGM young adults who were regular (≥4 days per week) social media users (N=302) and had enrolled in Facebook smoking cessation interventions. As part of a baseline assessment, participants self-reported problematic social media use (characterized by salience, tolerance, and withdrawal-like experiences; adapted from the Facebook Addiction Scale), hours of social media use per week, internalized SGM stigma, perceived emotional social support, and depressive symptoms. Pearson correlations tested bivariate associations among problematic social media use, hours of social media use, internalized SGM stigma, perceived emotional social support, and depressive symptoms. Multiple linear regression examined the associations between the aforementioned variables and problematic social media use and was adjusted for gender identity. Results A total of 302 SGM young adults were included in the analyses (assigned female at birth: 218/302, 72.2%; non-Hispanic White: 188/302, 62.3%; age: mean 21.9 years, SD 2.2 years). The sexual identity composition of the sample was 59.3% (179/302) bisexual and/or pansexual, 17.2% (52/302) gay, 16.9% (51/302) lesbian, and 6.6% (20/302) other. The gender identity composition of the sample was 61.3% (185/302) cisgender; 24.2% (73/302) genderqueer, fluid, nonbinary, or other; and 14.6% (44/302) transgender. Problematic social media use averaged 2.53 (SD 0.94) on a 5-point scale, with a median of 17 hours of social media use per week (approximately 2.5 h per day). Participants with greater problematic social media use had greater internalized SGM stigma (r=0.22; P<.001) and depressive symptoms (r=0.22; P<.001) and lower perceived emotional social support (r=−0.15; P=.007). Greater internalized SGM stigma remained was significantly associated with greater problematic social media use after accounting for the time spent on social media and other correlates (P<.001). In addition, participants with greater depressive symptoms had marginally greater problematic social media use (P=.05). In sum, signs of problematic social media use were more likely to occur among SGM young adults who had internalized SGM stigma and depressive symptoms. Conclusions Taken together, problematic social media use among SGM young adults was associated with negative psychological experiences, including internalized stigma, low social support, and depressive symptoms. SGM young adults experiencing minority stress may be at risk for problematic social media use.

Problematic Smartphone Use and Its Associations with Sexual Minority Stressors, Gender Nonconformity, and Mental Health Problems among Young Adult Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Individuals in Taiwan

“…However, the use of smartphones and the internet has a reinforcing effect, increasing their use [8] and thereby increasing the possibility of PSU among LBG individuals. A study found that problematic social media use among LGB young adults is associated with low social support and depression symptoms [18]. Examining PSU-related factors and the associations of PSU with mental health problems in young LGB adults may provide a reference for developing intervention strategies to reduce the PSU risk.…”

“…Internalization of sexual stigma may compromise relationship well-being [30] and their intention to adopt safe sex among LGB individuals [31,32]. Homophobic bullying victimization in childhood can predict PSU severity in young adulthood among gay and bisexual men [33], and problematic social media use is associated with internalized stigma among young LGB adults [18]. No study has examined the associations of perceived sexual stigma from family members, SOMs, and internalized sexual stigma with PSU severity simultaneously in LGB individuals.…”

The Influence of Homosexual Media Portrayals on the Identity of Homosexual Young Adults

“…Young homosexual adolescents face more specific challenges than their heterosexual friends because of the stress of being sexual minorities [18]. The media often attribute the image of the homosexual community to inappropriate terms such as sparse, pathological, and so on.…”

“…Like offline interactions, discrimination has been related to heavier mental distress and less mental well-being [15]. Homosexual adolescents face unique challenges in making the decision of disclosing private sexual orientation on media, which their friends, families, colleagues, and many other people may be able to see [18]. If everyone starts judging their selfperception, it is easier to lead to mental health problems, in which case the media turns into an unsafe place for them to express their identities.…”

Sexual stigmas among lesbian, gay, and bisexual individuals with problematic internet use and depression

“…A study discovered that being victimized by enacted sexual stigma significantly increased the risk of developing PIU ( 25 ). Another study reported that problematic social media use was significantly associated with ISS ( 20 ). However, the associations of FSS, ISS, and SOMs with PIU warrant further study.…”