Mediating roles of self-esteem and positive childhood experiences in the relationship between problematic social media use and loneliness

Bibliographic Data

ID5613327
AuthorsFırat Ünsal (0000-0001-9561-554X, Bitlis Eren University), Zafer Korkmaz (0000-0001-6789-2064, Van Yüzüncü Yıl Üniversitesi), Ilhan Çiçek (0000-0003-0266-8656, Batman University), Nouf Abdullah Alshehri (0009-0007-7352-1949, University of Hafr Al-Batin), Abdulmohsen Mohammed Abdullah Alkhulayfi (0009-0009-7333-8161, King Abdulaziz University), Murat Yıldırım (0000-0003-1089-1380, Khazar University, corresponding author)
Year2025
Volume38
Issue1
Pages28-28
Publication date2025-10-13
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenuePsicologia Reflexão e Crítica (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0102-7972 • E-ISSN: 1678-7153
PublisherSpringer Science and Business Media LLC (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1186/s41155-025-00364-z
PMID41082046
OpenAlexW4415117431
LanguageEN
Citations received3
References cited59

BACKGROUND: Problematic social media use has been linked to increased loneliness among university students, yet the mechanisms underlying this relationship remain unclear. OBJECTIVE: The study examines the mediating roles of self-esteem and positive childhood experiences in the relationship between problematic social media use and loneliness among university students. METHODS: A total of 464 university students aged 18 to 28 years (M = 22.71, SD = 2.71; 58% women) participated in the study. Data were collected via an online survey using standardized measures of positive childhood experiences, social media addiction, self-esteem, and loneliness. RESULTS: The findings revealed a significant positive relationship between problematic social media use and loneliness, as well as significant negative associations between problematic social media use and both self-esteem and positive childhood experiences. Mediation analyses indicated that problematic social media use significantly predicted loneliness, accounting for 6% of its variance, while the combined influence of problematic social media use, self-esteem, and positive childhood experiences explained 37% of the variance in loneliness. Notably, both self-esteem and positive childhood experiences partially mediated the relationship between problematic social media use and loneliness. CONCLUSION: This study provides important evidence for designing and implementing interventions that aim to enhance self-esteem and foster positive childhood experiences to mitigate the negative effects of problematic social media use on loneliness.

Late childhood · Loneliness · Media use · Psychological intervention · Qualitative research · Social isolation · Social media · Digital Mental Health Interventions · Impact of Technology on Adolescents · Mental Health via Writing

Tools

Open DOIOpen Access