Psychological risk factors for problematic social network use: An overview of systematic reviews and meta-analyses

Q1 Psychology

Addictive Behaviors Reports Pub Date : 2025-03-26 DOI:10.1016/j.abrep.2025.100600

Giulia Fioravanti , Sara Bocci Benucci , Simon Ghinassi

{"title":"Psychological risk factors for problematic social network use: An overview of systematic reviews and meta-analyses","authors":"Giulia Fioravanti , Sara Bocci Benucci , Simon Ghinassi","doi":"10.1016/j.abrep.2025.100600","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Problematic Social Network Use (PSNU) is a widespread and harmful public health issue. Therefore, it is unsurprising that the literature has focused on identifying possible risk factors contributing to this behavior. However, most identified factors were found to be shared with other problematic online behaviors. Therefore, the present overview aims to identify the psychological risk factors consistently associated with PSNU and evaluate whether the emerging risk factors were shared across Internet Gaming Disorder, Problematic Pornography Use, and Compulsive Online Shopping. A systematic search of four databases was conducted to identify systematic reviews/<em>meta</em>-analyses investigating the relationship between PSNU and psychological risk factors. Then, a bibliometric analysis was performed to examine whether the identified factors were shared across other problematic online behaviors. Thirty-five systematic reviews/<em>meta</em>-analyses were included, examining general and behavior-specific predisposing factors. General predisposing factors associated with PSNU included insecure attachment, high neuroticism, low conscientiousness, low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, stress, social anxiety, loneliness, and fear of missing out. Behavior-specific factors, though less frequently studied, highlighted the role of unmet psychological needs, Preference for Online Social Interaction, and motives related to emotion regulation and socialization. The bibliometric analysis revealed that many risk factors for PSNSU are shared with other problematic online behaviors. However, certain specificities emerged, including distinct motivations driving these behaviors. Findings suggest that PSNU shares a spectrum of risk factors with other problematic online behaviors, yet specific etiological and motivational differences remain. Overall, the findings underscore integrating shared and specific risk factors to improve tailored prevention and intervention strategies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":38040,"journal":{"name":"Addictive Behaviors Reports","volume":"21 ","pages":"Article 100600"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0000,"publicationDate":"2025-03-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Addictive Behaviors Reports","FirstCategoryId":"1085","ListUrlMain":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352853225000185","RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":null,"ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"Psychology","Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

Abstract

Problematic Social Network Use (PSNU) is a widespread and harmful public health issue. Therefore, it is unsurprising that the literature has focused on identifying possible risk factors contributing to this behavior. However, most identified factors were found to be shared with other problematic online behaviors. Therefore, the present overview aims to identify the psychological risk factors consistently associated with PSNU and evaluate whether the emerging risk factors were shared across Internet Gaming Disorder, Problematic Pornography Use, and Compulsive Online Shopping. A systematic search of four databases was conducted to identify systematic reviews/meta-analyses investigating the relationship between PSNU and psychological risk factors. Then, a bibliometric analysis was performed to examine whether the identified factors were shared across other problematic online behaviors. Thirty-five systematic reviews/meta-analyses were included, examining general and behavior-specific predisposing factors. General predisposing factors associated with PSNU included insecure attachment, high neuroticism, low conscientiousness, low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, stress, social anxiety, loneliness, and fear of missing out. Behavior-specific factors, though less frequently studied, highlighted the role of unmet psychological needs, Preference for Online Social Interaction, and motives related to emotion regulation and socialization. The bibliometric analysis revealed that many risk factors for PSNSU are shared with other problematic online behaviors. However, certain specificities emerged, including distinct motivations driving these behaviors. Findings suggest that PSNU shares a spectrum of risk factors with other problematic online behaviors, yet specific etiological and motivational differences remain. Overall, the findings underscore integrating shared and specific risk factors to improve tailored prevention and intervention strategies.

查看原文本刊更多论文

求助全文

约1分钟内获得全文求助全文

来源期刊

Addictive Behaviors Reports Medicine-Psychiatry and Mental Health

CiteScore

6.80

自引率

0.00%

发文量

审稿时长

71 days

期刊介绍： Addictive Behaviors Reports is an open-access and peer reviewed online-only journal offering an interdisciplinary forum for the publication of research in addictive behaviors. The journal accepts submissions that are scientifically sound on all forms of addictive behavior (alcohol, drugs, gambling, Internet, nicotine and technology) with a primary focus on behavioral and psychosocial research. The emphasis of the journal is primarily empirical. That is, sound experimental design combined with valid, reliable assessment and evaluation procedures are a requisite for acceptance. We are particularly interested in ''non-traditional'', innovative and empirically oriented research such as negative/null data papers, replication studies, case reports on novel treatments, and cross-cultural research. Studies that might encourage new lines of inquiry as well as scholarly commentaries on topical issues, systematic reviews, and mini reviews are also very much encouraged. We also welcome multimedia submissions that incorporate video or audio components to better display methodology or findings.