Bidirectional associations of problematic social media use and problematic gaming with mental health difficulties and strengths in adolescents: Sex and social support as potential moderators

The evidence on the direction of associations between mental health and problematic social media use (PSMU) and problematic gaming (PG) in adolescents remains inconclusive. Therefore, this study investigated a comprehensive model of temporal associations between mental health difficulties and strengths, and PSMU/PG, while accounting for sex and perceived social support as potential moderators. Mental health domains were measured with the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, PSMU was measured with the Social Media Disorder Scale, and PG with the Internet Gaming Disorder Scale, assessed at two time points (2019, 2021). The analysis sample consisted of 645 Dutch adolescents (63% boys; M_age = 15.8, SD = 0.3, at Time 1) from the Amsterdam Born Children and their Development cohort. Cross-lagged panel analysis did not indicate general bidirectional associations, but the multigroup analysis revealed separate temporal associations by sex and social support. In girls, emotional problems preceded PSMU and PG. In boys, PG preceded emotional problems and hyperactivity/inattention preceded PSMU. Adolescents with more perceived social support did not show a relationship between emotional problems and subsequent PG. We suggest that emotional problems may be a potential risk factor for PSMU/PG in girls, while they may be considered a negative consequence of PG in boys. Additionally, hyperactivity/inattention may be a risk factor for PSMU in boys, and social support may be a general protective factor for PG. These findings highlight the importance of understanding individual differences in the relationships between PSMU/PG and mental health symptoms.