The Effect of Social Media Addiction on Psychological Stress: The Indirect Role of Doomscrolling

Abstract

The literature indicates that there is a relationship between social media addiction and psychological stress. However, there is still limited understanding of the specific ways in which social media addiction leads to psychological distress. This study examines the mediating role of doomscrolling in the relationship between social media addiction and psychological stress. In the 2022-2023 academic year, a sample of 460 university students (358 women, 78%, and 102 men, 22%) aged between 18 and 30 was analyzed using snowball sampling. The study utilized the Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale, the Doomscrolling Scale, and the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21) with a structural equation model. Findings indicated a positive association between social media addiction, psychological distress, and doomscrolling. Moreover, doomscrolling was also associated with increased psychological distress. Importantly, the connection between SMA and psychological distress was mediated by doomscrolling, underscoring its role as an intermediary factor. These findings suggest that social media addiction contributes to psychological distress, with doomscrolling further intensifying this effect. The study highlights the need for interventions to reduce both social media addiction and doomscrolling behaviors. Raising awareness and encouraging healthier social media habits through educational programs and media campaigns are crucial to safeguarding mental health.

Keywords

• social media addiction
• psychological distress
• doomscrolling

Sosyal Medya Bağımlılığının Psikolojik Strese Etkisi: Felaket Kaydırmasının Dolaylı Rolü

Öz

Sosyal medya bağımlılığı ile psikolojik stres arasında ilişki olduğu alan yazında belirtilmektedir. Bununla birlikte, sosyal medya bağımlılığının psikolojik strese tam olarak nasıl katkıda bulunduğunu anlama konusunda bir boşluk bulunmaktadır. Bu çalışma, sosyal medya bağımlılığı ile psikolojik stres arasındaki ilişkide felaket kaydırmasının aracılık rolünün incelemektedir. 2022-2023 eğitim- öğretim yılında kartopu örnekleme yoluyla yaşları 18 ila 30 arasında değişen 460 üniversite öğrencisinden (358 kadın-%78, 102 erkek- %22) oluşan bir örneklem analiz edilmiştir. Bu çalışmada, veri toplamak amacıyla Bergen Sosyal Medya Bağımlılığı Ölçeği, Doomscrolling Ölçeği ile Depresyon, Kaygı ve Stres Ölçeği (DASS-21) kullanılmıştır. Verilerin analizinde ise korelasyon analizi ve yapısal eşitlik modellemesi uygulanmıştır. Sonuçlar, sosyal medya bağımlılığının hem psikolojik stres hem de felaket kaydırması ile pozitif bağlantılı olduğunu göstermiştir. Ayrıca, felaket kaydırması da artan psikolojik stres ile ilişkilendirilmiştir. Daha da önemlisi, sosyal medya bağımlılığı ile psikolojik stres arasındaki bağlantıya felaket kaydırması aracılık etmiş ve sosyal medya bağımlılığının aracı bir faktör olarak rolünün altını çizmiştir. Bu bulgular, sosyal medya bağımlılığının psikolojik strese katkıda bulunduğunu ve felaket kaydırmasının bu etkiyi daha da yoğunlaştırdığını göstermektedir. Bu çalışma hem sosyal medya bağımlılığı hem de felaket kaydırması davranışlarını azaltmaya yönelik müdahalelere duyulan ihtiyacı vurgulamaktadır. Eğitim programları ve medya kampanyaları yoluyla farkındalığın artırılması ve daha sağlıklı sosyal medya alışkanlıklarının teşvik edilmesi, ruh sağlığının korunması için çok önemlidir.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• sosyal medya bağımlılığı
• psikolojik stres
• felaket kaydırması

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