Core vs. peripheral: Exploring social media overvaluation and problematic use in a longitudinal adolescent study.

Abstract

Individuals with Overvaluation of the Relative Utility of Social Media (ORUSM) overestimate the value of social media to meet needs, prioritizing it over alternative activities. ORUSM is a key mechanism in the development of Problematic Social Media Use (PSMU), frequently associated with mental health issues. The Plan-net 25 measures ORUSM but lacks evaluation of its longitudinal psychometric properties. PSMU is assessed using six criteria derived from substance use disorders, reclassified into core criteria (mood modification, withdrawal, conflict, relapse) as indicators of problematic use, and peripheral criteria (salience, tolerance) that reflect high engagement without pathology. This study examined the temporal stability and longitudinal invariance of the Plan-net 25, as well as its associations with PSMU criteria and various mental health indicators over six weeks. A sample of 294 adolescents (14-20 years old) completed measures of ORUSM, PSMU, depression, anxiety, loneliness, and life satisfaction. The results showed low to moderate temporal stability of the subscales and longitudinal invariance of the Plan-net 25. ORUSM domains related to emotional regulation, social expression, and boredom management were positively associated with both core and peripheral PSMU criteria. Core criteria predicted worse mental health outcomes, while peripheral criteria were positively associated with life satisfaction. These findings highlight the importance of distinguishing between core and peripheral PSMU criteria.