Why social network site use fails to promote well-being? The roles of social overload and fear of missing out

an article by Huan-YouChai, Shuai-Lei Lian, Xiao-Wei Chu, Sanyuya Liu and Xiao-Jun Sun (Central China Normal University, Wuhan, China) and Geng-Feng Niu (Xi'an Jiaotong University, China) published in Computers in Human Behavior Volume 100 (November 2019)

Highlights

• There was no significant correlation between SNS use and subjective well-being.
• SNS use had a suppressing effect on subjective well-being via social overload.
• FoMO moderated the direct and indirect relations between SNS use and subjective well-being.

Abstract

Considering the popularity of social networking sites (SNSs) and the inconsistent results regarding the effect of SNS use on subjective well-being, this study intended to address the question “why SNS fails to predict subjective well-being” by investigating the suppressing role of social overload and moderating role of fear of missing out (FoMO).

A sample of 1,319 Chinese adolescents was recruited to complete measures on SNS use, social overload, FoMO and subjective well-being.

Results showed that SNS use had a positively direct effect on subjective well-being, while the indirect effect via social overload in this association was significantly negative, suggesting that SNS use had a suppressing effect on well-being via social overload.

FoMO moderated the suppressing effect of social overload; specifically, the indirect and direct effects were both more potent for adolescents with higher FoMO. Implications and limitations of this study are also discussed.

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Psychopathic traits and social anxiety in cyber-space: A context-dependent theoretical framework explaining online disinhibition

an article by Nafsika Antoniadou, Constantinos M.Kokkinos and Angelos Markos (Democritus University of Thrace, Greece) published in Computers in Human Behavior Volume 99 (October 2019)

Highlights

• Psychopathic traits and social anxiety were linked to online disinhibition.
• Negative correlations of empathy with online disinhibition were obtained.
• Psychopathic traits and social anxiety predicted online disinhibition.
• Possible cognitive and affective empathy moderating effects were studied.
• Cognitive empathy moderated impulsive-irresponsible and social anxietyassociations.

Abstract

Online disinhibition is a common phenomenon with negative implications among adolescents, but its correlates have been scarcely investigated from an integrative perspective.

This study aimed to examine the relationship of two socially maladaptive personal characteristics, namely psychopathic traits and social anxiety, with online disinhibition. Furthermore, the effect of empathy (affective and cognitive) was examined through moderation analysis.

The investigation was based on a context-dependent theoretical framework, according to which, the structural characteristics of cyberspace increase or decrease the expression of certain personal tendencies, thus differentiating an individual's behavior.

Overall, 1097 Greek Junior High School students from Northern Greece voluntarily completed an anonymous self-report questionnaire. After construct validity was tested, a two-step latent moderated structural equation modeling was conducted.

Results showed that online disinhibition correlated negatively with all variables except affective empathy. Cognitive empathy moderated only the effect of impulsive-irresponsible traits and social anxiety on online disinhibition.

Overall, findings show that students with maladaptive personality characteristics have high propensity for online disinhibition. These results can contribute significantly in understanding the phenomenon, as well as in the design of prevention programs aiming at developing the cognitive empathy of impulsive and socially anxious adolescents.

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Increase in time spent on social media is associated with modest increase in depression, conduct problems, and episodic heavy drinking

an article by Geir Scott Brunborg and Jasmina Burdzovic Andreas (Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Norway) -ublished in Journal of Adolescence Volume 74 (July 2019)

Abstract

Introduction
Adolescent use of social media has been linked to a range of negative outcomes, but it is still unclear whether the associations are spurious. To address this issue, we examined if within-individual change in time spent on social media was associated with within-individual changes in depression, conduct problems, and episodic heavy drinking in a sample of adolescents using first-differencing models (FD-models).

Methods
A sample of 763 Norwegian adolescents (45.1% boys; mean age 15.22 years, standard deviation 1.44) completed two questionnaires 6-months apart. The associations between changes in time spent on social media and symptoms of depression, conduct problems, and frequency of episodic heavy drinking were estimated using FD-models, a statistical technique that effectively controls for all time-invariant individual factors. We also accounted for three time-variant putative confounders: frequency of sports practice, frequency of unsupervised leisure activities, and peer relationship problems.

Results
Increases in time spent on social media were associated with increases in symptoms of depression (b = 0.13 [95% CI: 0.01, 0.24], p = 0.038), increases in conduct problems (b = 0.07 [95% CI: 0.02, 0.10], p = 0.007), and increases in episodic heavy drinking (b = 0.10 [95% CI: 0.06, 0.15], p < 0.001), after adjusting for changes in the three hypothesized confounders. The effect-sizes for these relationships were, however, quite modest.

Conclusion
Increased time spent on social media was modestly related to increases in depression, conduct problems, as well as frequency of episodic heavy drinking among adolescents.

Hazel’s comment
Looking at a specific adult in my family circle I notice exactly what these authors are talking about. And the effects are not “quite modest”.

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Growing up in dirty air 'quadruples chances of developing depression'

an article for the Guardian by Damian Carrington Environment editor

Young people more likely to have depression at 18 if exposed to dirtier air at age 12


75% of mental health problems begin in childhood or adolescence.
Photograph: Alicia Canter/The Guardian

Children who lived in areas with higher air pollution when younger are significantly more likely to have developed major depression by the age of 18, according to research.

In the first analysis of how common air pollutants affect teenage mental health, researchers found young people were three to four times more likely to have depression at 18 if they had been exposed to dirtier air at age 12. Comparison with earlier work indicates that air pollution is a greater risk factor than physical abuse in raising the risk of teenage depression.

The scientists said their findings are particularly significant because 75% of mental health problems begin in childhood or adolescence, when the brain is developing rapidly. The work also suggests a link between toxic air and antisocial behaviour, but more work is needed to confirm this. A larger study is expected later this year.

“High levels of air pollution are just not good for you, and particularly for your children, whether that be physical or mental health,” said Helen Fisher at Kings College London, who led the research. “It is sensible to try to avoid the areas with the highest levels of air pollution. We really should be pushing for local and national government to reduce those levels.”

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Upward social comparison and depression in social network settings: The roles of envy and self-efficacy

an article by Yongzhan Li (Pingdingshan University, China) published in Internet Research Volume 29 Issue 1 (2019)

Abstract

Purpose
Previous research has linked upward social comparison on social network sites (SNSs) to depressive symptoms; however, the mechanism underlying this relationship remains unclear. The purpose of this paper is to explore the roles of envy and self-efficacy in the relationship between upward social comparison on SNSs and depressive symptoms.

Design/methodology/approach
Based on the social comparison theory and previous related literature, a moderated mediation model integrating upward social comparison on SNSs, depressive symptoms, envy and self-efficacy was developed and empirically examined based on the data collected from 934 Chinese high school students.

Findings
The structural equation modeling analysis shows that envy partially mediates the relationship between upward social comparison on SNSs and depressive symptoms, whereas self-efficacy moderated both the direct effect of upward social comparison on SNSs on depressive symptoms and the mediating effect of envy in the relationship between upward social comparison on SNSs and depressive symptoms.

Practical implications
The findings offer interesting implications for guiding adolescents to use SNSs properly. This study found that envy and self-efficacy act as a mediator and moderator, respectively, between upward social comparison on SNSs and depressive symptoms, indicating that reducing envy and enhancing self-efficacy should be feasible to alleviate the negative effect of SNSs use.

Social implications
In order to alleviate the negative effect of SNSs use, parents and educators should direct adolescents to view others’ achievements and happiness properly and manage to improve self-efficacy among adolescents with poor self-efficacy through effective training.

Originality/value
Through building and examining a moderated mediation model integrating envy and self-efficacy into the relationship between upward social comparison on SNSs and depressive symptoms, the present study advances our understanding of how and when upward social comparison on SNSs augments the risk of depressive symptoms among adolescents.

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Active public Facebook use and adolescents' feelings of loneliness: Evidence for a curvilinear relationship

an article by Kexin Wang (Tsinghua University, Beijing, China), Eline Frison and LauraVandenbosch (University of Leuven, Belgium; Research Foundation Flanders (FWO-Vlaanderen), Belgium) and Steven Eggermont (University of Leuven, Belgium) published in Journal of Adolescence Volume 67 (August 2018)

Abstract

Inconsistent results have been reported concerning the relationships between SNS usage and loneliness.

The current two-wave panel study with a one year interval examined the possibility of reciprocal and curvilinear relationships between active public Facebook use and adolescents' social/emotional loneliness. Belgian adolescents from fifteen high schools participated (N = 1188, 55% male).

The results showed a U-shaped relationship between

1. active Facebook use and social/emotional loneliness and 
2. emotional loneliness and active Facebook use.

Specifically, active Facebook use predicted decreased social/emotional loneliness among low to moderate users, while among heavy users, increased levels of social/emotional loneliness were predicted by active Facebook use. Emotional loneliness predicted higher active Facebook use among lonely adolescents. At the same time, emotional loneliness predicted decreased active Facebook use among adolescents who did not feel lonely.

These findings stress to consider different types of loneliness, and reciprocal and curvilinear relationships in future social media research.

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Teen Depression Groups on Facebook: A Content Analysis

Bethany I. Lerman, Stephen P. Lewis, Margaret Lumley, Greg J. Grogan, Chloe C. Hudson and Erin Johnson (University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada) published in Journal of Adolescent Research Volume 32 Issue 6 (November 2017)

Abstract

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is one of the most frequently diagnosed disorders in early adolescence and can lead to a multitude of negative life outcomes, highlighting the need for early and effective intervention to mitigate depressive symptoms.

Recognizing the preference of youth to seek informal sources of help for mental health issues, which may include the Internet, the social networking site Facebook was investigated as a potential source of support and help for youth suffering depressive symptoms or disorder.

This study examined the content of online Facebook support groups targeting adolescents with depression. A total of 508 posts from six Facebook groups were analyzed. The majority of post content on these Facebook groups consisted of self-disclosure (32.48%), feedback between posters (24.80%), and offers and recommendations of help (24.61%).

Posters seem to utilize adolescent Facebook depression groups mainly to connect with those who might share a similar experience and to share information about mental health resources.

Future studies should investigate the potential to use the information exchange that occurs in these groups to promote traffic to online and offline evidence-based mental health resources.

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Job loss and the mental health of spouses and adolescent children

an article by Melisa Bubonya (University of Melbourne, Australia) Deborah A. Cobb-Clark (University of Sydney, Australia; University of Queensland, Australia; Institute of Labor Economics (IZA)) and Mark Wooden (University of Melbourne, Australia; Institute of Labor Economics (IZA)) published in IZA Journal of Labor Economics Volume 6 Article 6 (2017)

Abstract

Panel data from the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia Survey are used to examine the impact of involuntary job loss on the mental health of spouses and adolescent children.

Estimates from fixed effects models show that the mental health of women (but not men) declines following a spouse’s job loss, but only if that job loss results in a sustained period of non-employment or if the couple experienced prior financial hardship or relationship strain.

A negative effect of parental job loss on the mental health of adolescent children is also found but is restricted to girls.

JEL Classification: I31, J10, J65

Full text (PDF 27pp)

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Coping With Confinement: Adolescents’ Experiences With Parental Incarceration

an article by Elizabeth I. Johnson (University of Tennessee, Knoxville, USA) and Beth A. Easterling (Gallaudet University, Washington, DC, USA) published in Journal of Adolescent Research Volume 30 Number 2 (March 2015)

Abstract

Theory and research suggest that parental incarceration is often a significant source of stress for children and adolescents. Understanding how young people navigate the stressors of parental incarceration can shed important light on well-being and inform intervention efforts, but little research exists on the coping strategies that young people use during and after a parent’s incarceration.

Through in-depth interviews, this study explores how adolescents (n = 10) cope with parental incarceration.

Results suggest that most adolescents use some combination of three strategies: deidentification from the incarcerated parent, desensitization to incarceration, and strength through control.

Results reveal variability in how young people cope with parental incarceration, and underscore the importance of future research on the implications of different strategies for well-being.

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Security, respect and culture in British teenagers' discourses of knife-carrying

an article by Marek Palasinski (Based at Department of Psychology, Lancaster University, UK) published in Safer Communities Volume 12 Issue 2 (2013)

Abstract

Purpose
The aim of the paper is to provide an overview of English adolescents' views on knife-carrying and offer a potential framework for challenging their implicit tolerance of the phenomenon.

Design/methodology/approach
A sample of 25 adolescents from three large English cities (London, Birmingham and Manchester) was interviewed about knife-carrying at seven youth community centers and their narratives were analyzed by drawing on the classical discourse analysis and the concept of narrative repertoires.

Findings
The adolescents constructed the social and legal consequences of knife-carrying as normal, trivial and inevitable.

Research limitations/implications
Talking to a stranger with a voice recorder about the sensitive subject of knife-carrying appeared to be problematic, which probably had an inhibitory effect despite the conversational warm-up and assured anonymity.

Practical implications
Cautioning against creating common sense associations between knife-carrying and irresponsibility or deviance, the paper emphasizes the need for the focus on the low controllability and unpredictability of the knife.

Originality/value
The paper presents scholars and outreach workers with an intimate glimpse of how personal responsibility for knife-carrying and its potential consequences could be diminished by removing the agency from the carrier and rhetorically placing it in society.

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Cyberbullying and subjective health: A large-scale study of students in Stockholm, Sweden

an article by Sara Brolin Låftman, Bitte Modin and Viveca Östberg (Centre for Health Equity Studies (CHESS), Stockholm University/Karolinska Institute, Sweden) published in Children and Youth Services Review Volume 35 Issue 1 (January 2013)

Abstract

The increase in the use of mobile phones and the Internet has given rise to new opportunities for people to meet and communicate. However, there are also dark sides to these new forms of communication. One of these is cyberbullying, i.e. bullying via mobile phone and the Internet. Given that cyberbullying is a relatively new phenomenon, empirical knowledge is still limited and particularly so in Sweden, which in international comparison has reported low rates of bullying in general.

The aim of the study is to investigate:

1. the prevalence of cyberbullying among students in Stockholm, Sweden;
2. the overlap between cyberbullying and traditional forms of school bullying, and
3. the association between the experience of cyberbullying and subjective health.

The study uses the Stockholm School Survey of 2008 which is a total population survey of students in grade 9 of compulsory school (i.e. aged 15–16) and in the second year of upper secondary school (i.e. aged 17–18) in Stockholm and eighteen of its surrounding municipalities (N = 22,544).

About 5 % of the students are victims of cyberbullying, 4% are perpetrators, and 2% are both victims and perpetrators.

There is some overlap between cyberbullying and traditional bullying: those who are victims of traditional bullying are at increased risk of also being victims of cyberbullying; while being a traditional bully is strongly associated with the likelihood of also being a cyberbully.

However, many students who are involved in cyberbullying are not involved in traditional bullying. OLS regression analyses show that being a victim of cyberbullying remains associated with worse subjective health when being the victim of traditional bullying and socioeconomic factors are taken into account. In addition, perpetrators of cyberbullying as well as students who are both victims and bullies, have worse subjective health than those who are not involved in cyberbullying.

Highlights
► The paper studies cyberbullying and subjective health among students in Sweden.
► The data are derived from the Stockholm School Survey (N = 22,544).
► Cyberbullying is associated with traditional bullying, but only to a limited extent.
► Being a victim of cyberbullying is linked to worse subjective health.
► Being a cyberbully or a cyberbully-victim is linked to worse subjective health.

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The Effects of Personality Traits on Wages: A Matching Approach

an article by Robert Girtz (Middle Tennessee State University Murfreesboro, USA) published in LABOUR Volume 26 Issue 4 (December 2012)

Abstract

I use the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1979 to estimate the effects of adolescent measurements of self-esteem and locus of control on adult wages using propensity score matching.

An adolescent possessing high self-esteem will experience between 8.5 and 9.2 per cent higher wages as an adult. This result is statistically significant and robust to the addition of cognitive skill and family background characteristics.

When cognitive skill and family background characteristics are controlled for, locus of control as an adolescent is insignificant in explaining adult wages. This result is contrary to findings in the literature.

JEL Classifications: J01, J24, J31, D03

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“Feeling” hierarchy: The pathway from subjective social status to achievement

an article by Mesmin Destin, Scott Richman and Jelani Mandara (Northwestern University, Evanston, USA) and Fatima Varner (University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA) published in Journal of Adolescence Volume 35 Issue 6 (December 2012)

Abstract

The current study tested a psychosocial mediation model of the association between subjective social status (SSS) and academic achievement for youth.

The sample included 430 high school students from diverse racial/ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds. Those who perceived themselves to be at higher social status levels had higher GPAs.

As predicted by the model, most of the relationship was mediated by emotional distress and study skills and habits. The lower SSS students had more depressive symptoms, which led to less effective studying and lower GPA.

The model held across different racial/ethnic groups, was tested against alternative models, and results remained stable controlling for objective socio-economic status. Implications for identity-based intervention are discussed.

Figures and tables from this article

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