A1 Journal article (refereed)
International perspectives on social media use among adolescents : Implications for mental and social well-being and substance use (2022)

Boniel-Nissim, M., van den Eijnden, R. J., Furstova, J., Marino, C., Lahti, H., Inchley, J., Šmigelskas, K., Vieno, A., & Badura, P. (2022). International perspectives on social media use among adolescents : Implications for mental and social well-being and substance use. Computers in Human Behavior, 129, Article 107144. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2021.107144

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Boniel-Nissim, Meyran; van den Eijnden, Regina J.J.M.; Furstova, Jana; Marino, Claudia; Lahti, Henri; Inchley, Joanna; Šmigelskas, Kastytis; Vieno, Alessio; Badura, Petr

Journal or series: Computers in Human Behavior

ISSN: 0747-5632

eISSN: 1873-7692

Publication year: 2022

Volume: 129

Article number: 107144

Publisher: Elsevier

Publication country: United Kingdom

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2021.107144

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Partially open access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/79397

Abstract

In the present study, we aimed to explore the relationship between intensity of social media use (SMU), problematic SMU and well-being outcomes. Four categories of SMU were developed taking into account both intensity of use and problematic SMU simultaneously: non-active; active; intense; and problematic use. Using these four categories, we assessed associations between SMU and mental and social well-being, and substance use. Data from 190,089 respondents aged 11, 13, and 15 years from 42 countries involved in the Health Behavior in School-aged Children (HBSC) study were analyzed. With a slight cross-national variance, 78% of adolescents in the sample were classified as active or intense users, and 7% showed signs of problematic SMU. The remaining 15% belonged to the non-active users. Three-level regression analyses revealed that the problematic users showed the least favorable mental and social well-being profile and the highest level of substance use. Compared with active users, non-active users reported lower mental and social well-being, but also the lowest substance use levels. Intense non-problematic users showed the highest levels of social well-being. Our findings highlight the importance of assessing both the intensity and problematic component of SMU to reliably assess associations with mental and social well-being and substance use.

Keywords: young people; media use; social media; problem use; well-being; mental well-being; intoxicants; international comparison; Health Behaviour in School-aged Children

Free keywords: social media use; HBSC; cross-national research; adolescence; well-being; substance use

Contributing organizations

Ministry reporting: Yes

Reporting Year: 2022

JUFO rating: 2