Motivational profiles in problematic social media use

A latent profile analysis

Datos Bibliográficos

ID21621492
AutoresNikita Halaris (Victoria University), Brian Hunt, Brian R Hunt (0000-0003-0779-9866, Victoria University), Vasileios Stavropoulos (0000-0001-6964-4662, RMIT University), Leila Karimi (0000-0003-2364-504X, RMIT University), Daniel Zarate (0000-0002-1508-8637, RMIT University, autor de correspondencia)
Año2025
Volumen44
Número10
Páginas8781-8793
Fecha de publicación2025-05-01
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaCurrent Psychology (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 1046-1310 • E-ISSN: 1936-4733
EditorialSpringer Science and Business Media LLC (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1007/s12144-025-07831-x
OpenAlexW4409713397
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas4
Referencias citadas51

Problematic Social Media Use (PSMU), an experience associated with symptoms replicable to those of addiction, has become increasingly prevalent worldwide. Previous literature suggested that social media subgroups convey varying risks with PSMU behaviours. Theoretically prompted by the Self-Determination Theory (SDT), this study aimed to (i) identify homogenous profiles of users based on their amotivation, external regulation, identified regulation and intrinsic motivation; (ii) examine the differences in levels of PSMU amongst motivational profiles and (iii) investigate potential differences in PSMU levels for different motivation styles. 276 social media users (18–62 years, M age = 31.90, SD = 9.94) were assessed using the Situational Motivation Scale (SIMS) and the Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale (BSMAS) at three-time points, one year apart. Latent profile analysis (LPA) identified two motivational profiles: the ‘Low-Risk Motivation’ (LRM; 77.2%) and the ‘High-Risk Motivation’ profile (HRM; 22.8%). As hypothesised, the HRM profile exhibited higher levels of PSMU across waves. However, PSMU levels did not increase across waves. Findings suggest that users endorsing higher levels of amotivation and external regulation (i.e., HRM) convey a greater prevalence of developing PSMU behaviours. Findings indicate that PSMU may pertain as a maladaptive coping mechanism to manage psychosocial deficiencies. As such, these findings provide significant implications for the intervention, prevention and treatment of PSMU

Social media · Child Development and Digital Technology · Digital Games and Media · Impact of Technology on Adolescents · Psychology · Social Psychology