Between “how much” and “how”: time spent in social media and problematic internet use as correlates of psychological outcomes in Brazilian athletes with physical disabilities

Abstract

Social media and internet use are increasingly embedded in athletes’ daily routines; however, their psychological correlates may depend more on patterns of use than on time spent online. This study investigated the relationships between combined Instagram and Facebook use time (CIFUT), problematic internet use (PIU), body appreciation, positive mental health, and symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress in Brazilian athletes with physical disabilities. A total of 61 athletes completed the PIUQ-SF-9, BAS-2, MHC-SF, and DASS-21. Time spent on Instagram and Facebook was obtained through the platforms’ “Your Activity” feature and combined to calculate CIFUT. Data were analyzed using Spearman correlations, multiple linear regressions, and mediation models. CIFUT showed a significant, moderate positive correlation only with PIU. In regression analyses, neither CIFUT nor PIU significantly were associated with body appreciation or positive mental health. However, the models demonstrated stronger explanatory power for depression (R²=.300; adj. R²=.276; p<.001), anxiety (R²=0.175; adj. R²=0.146; p=.004), and stress (R²=.171; adj. R²=.142; p=.004). Both CIFUT and PIU were significant statistical predictors of depression and anxiety, whereas only PIU was associated with stress. Mediation analyses were not significant, although the pathway from CIFUT to PIU was confirmed. Overall, greater combined Instagram and Facebook use time was consistently associated with higher PIU. Psychological outcomes (particularly depression, anxiety, and stress) were more strongly related to problematic usage patterns than to time online, suggesting that how individuals engage with social media may be more relevant than how much time they spend online in this population.