Bidirectional associations of problematic social media use and problematic gaming with mental health difficulties and strengths in adolescents

Sex and social support as potential moderators

Dados Bibliográficos

ID12388606
AutoresLuka Todorović (0000-0002-6903-6517, Department of Psychology University of Amsterdam Amsterdam The Netherlands, autor correspondente), Hanan Bozhar (0009-0001-2992-3285, Department of Public and Occupational Health, Amsterdam University Medical Center University of Amsterdam Amsterdam The Netherlands), Susanne R de Rooij (0000-0001-7382-5749, Centre for Urban Mental Health University of Amsterdam Amsterdam The Netherlands), Annabel Bogaerts (0000-0003-4371-6570, Department of Psychology University of Amsterdam Amsterdam The Netherlands), Bianca Boyer (0000-0003-2344-7334, Developmental and Educational Psychology Leiden University Leiden The Netherlands), Helle Larsen (0000-0003-0117-9252, Department of Psychology University of Amsterdam Amsterdam The Netherlands)
Ano2025
Volume35
Fascículo3
Páginase70076-e70076
Data de publicação2025-09-01
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoJournal of Research on Adolescence (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 1050-8392 • E-ISSN: 1532-7795
EditoraWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/jora.70076
PMID40944323
OpenAlexW4414161713
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas4
Referências citadas103

The evidence on the direction of associations between mental health and problematic social media use (PSMU) and problematic gaming (PG) in adolescents remains inconclusive. Therefore, this study investigated a comprehensive model of temporal associations between mental health difficulties and strengths, and PSMU/PG, while accounting for sex and perceived social support as potential moderators. Mental health domains were measured with the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, PSMU was measured with the Social Media Disorder Scale, and PG with the Internet Gaming Disorder Scale, assessed at two time points (2019, 2021). The analysis sample consisted of 645 Dutch adolescents (63% boys; M age = 15.8, SD = 0.3, at Time 1) from the Amsterdam Born Children and their Development cohort. Cross-lagged panel analysis did not indicate general bidirectional associations, but the multigroup analysis revealed separate temporal associations by sex and social support. In girls, emotional problems preceded PSMU and PG. In boys, PG preceded emotional problems and hyperactivity/inattention preceded PSMU. Adolescents with more perceived social support did not show a relationship between emotional problems and subsequent PG. We suggest that emotional problems may be a potential risk factor for PSMU/PG in girls, while they may be considered a negative consequence of PG in boys. Additionally, hyperactivity/inattention may be a risk factor for PSMU in boys, and social support may be a general protective factor for PG. These findings highlight the importance of understanding individual differences in the relationships between PSMU/PG and mental health symptoms

Association (psychology · Mental health · Protective factor · Sample (material · Social media · Social support · Structural equation modeling · Child Development and Digital Technology · Digital Mental Health Interventions · Impact of Technology on Adolescents