Association between problematic social networking site use and social well-being among young adults: A systematic review

Abstract

Background

This systematic review aimed to synthesize current evidence of an association between problematic social networking site use (PSNSU) and social well-being and predictors of PSNSU among young adults (18–35 years).

Methods

The systematic review considered cross-sectional and cohort studies that assessed the association between PSNSU and social well-being among young adults. The JBI systematic review methodology of etiology and risk was followed. Data were collected from eight electronic databases and manually from reference lists of selected studies. Two independent reviewers selected studies by screening titles, abstracts and full texts and assessed the quality of the included studies. Data were extracted and synthesized with narrative methods.

Results

Twenty one (n = 21) studies were included in the final review. The results showed that there were associations between PSNSU and different social well-being factors, e.g., associations were found between PSNSU and social and parasocial relationships on social networking sites and social media anxiety. Also some predictive factors were found.

Limitations

Although, the search strategies were developed in conjunction with an information specialist, some keywords might have been missed, which could have affected the search results. Social well-being and PSNS use can be defined in many ways, which may have affected which studies were excluded. Language limitations might affect to the study inclusion.

Conclusions

In most cases, PSNSU was associated with lower social well-being, although some mixed results were obtained. Definitions of PSNSU and social well-being varied widely. Therefore, in the future, it would be beneficial to have clear concepts for PSNSU and social well-being. It is also important to consider social aspects in PSNSU.