Unveiling the relationships between solitary experiences and problematic social media use in young adults: a network approach to investigating underlying motivations

IF 3.6 2区医学 Q1 PSYCHOLOGY, CLINICAL

Addictive behaviors Pub Date : 2025-10-04 DOI:10.1016/j.addbeh.2025.108508

Gianluca Santoro , Andrea Zagaria , Mattia Pezzi , Paola Corsano , Alessio Gori , Alessandro Musetti

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Previous research has shown that subjective and negative solitary experiences, such as loneliness, are associated with increased problematic social media use (PSMU). However, further research is needed to examine the role of other solitary experiences and motivations for solitary behavior in PSMU. Accordingly, the current study investigated the relationships between various solitary experiences (i.e., trait loneliness, perceived isolation, lack of relational connectedness, positive solitude, and frequency of solitary behavior), motivations for solitary behavior (i.e., autonomous and controlled), motives for social media use (i.e., enhancement, coping, conformity, and social), and core and peripheral symptoms of PSMU in young adults. Eight hundred twenty-nine young adults (65 % females), aged 18 to 30 years (M = 23.76, SD = 3.16), completed self-report measures assessing the variables of interest. Psychometric network analysis was performed to estimate regularized partial correlations among variables across the entire sample. Gender differences in network properties were evaluated using the network comparison test. Results showed that controlled motivations for solitary behavior and perceived isolation were indirectly linked to core symptoms of PSMU through conformity motives. Additionally, perceived isolation was also associated with core PSMU symptoms through coping motives. No significant gender differences were found in the network properties. These findings suggest that PSMU might serve as a maladaptive strategy to temporarily compensate for involuntary solitary experiences and to seek relief from perceived isolation.

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揭示孤独经历与年轻人有问题的社交媒体使用之间的关系：调查潜在动机的网络方法

先前的研究表明，主观和消极的孤独经历，如孤独，与有问题的社交媒体使用（PSMU）的增加有关。然而，需要进一步的研究来检验其他孤独经历和孤独行为动机在PSMU中的作用。因此，本研究调查了青年PSMU的各种孤独经历（即特质孤独、感知孤立、缺乏关系联系、积极孤独和孤独行为频率）、孤独行为动机（即自主和控制）、社交媒体使用动机（即增强、应对、从从性和社交）以及核心和外围症状之间的关系。829名年龄在18至30岁之间的年轻人（65%为女性）（M = 23.76, SD = 3.16）完成了评估感兴趣变量的自我报告测量。进行心理测量网络分析，以估计整个样本中变量之间的正则化偏相关性。使用网络比较测试评估网络属性的性别差异。结果表明，受控制的孤独行为动机和孤立感通过从从性动机与PSMU的核心症状间接相关。此外，感知孤立也通过应对动机与核心PSMU症状相关。在网络属性方面没有发现显著的性别差异。这些发现表明，PSMU可能是一种适应不良的策略，可以暂时补偿非自愿的孤独经历，并从感知到的孤立中寻求解脱。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Addictive behaviors 医学-药物滥用

CiteScore

8.40

自引率

4.50%

发文量

283

审稿时长

46 days

期刊介绍： Addictive Behaviors is an international peer-reviewed journal publishing high quality human research on addictive behaviors and disorders since 1975. The journal accepts submissions of full-length papers and short communications on substance-related addictions such as the abuse of alcohol, drugs and nicotine, and behavioral addictions involving gambling and technology. We primarily publish behavioral and psychosocial research but our articles span the fields of psychology, sociology, psychiatry, epidemiology, social policy, medicine, pharmacology and neuroscience. While theoretical orientations are diverse, 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. However, innovative and empirically oriented case studies that might encourage new lines of inquiry are accepted as well. Studies that clearly contribute to current knowledge of etiology, prevention, social policy or treatment are given priority. Scholarly commentaries on topical issues, systematic reviews, and mini reviews are encouraged. We especially welcome multimedia papers that incorporate video or audio components to better display methodology or findings. Studies can also be submitted to Addictive Behaviors? companion title, the open access journal Addictive Behaviors Reports, which has a particular interest 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.