Compulsive social media use is linked with wanting closeness but fearing reliance on others
Compulsive use of social media may be associated with a strong desire for reassurance among people who are afraid to rely on others and engage in face-to-face interactions, according to a study published Oct. 21, 2026, in the journal PLOS One by Chris Bjornsen and Allen Harbaugh of Longwood University in the U.S.
A recent study published in the journal PLOS One reveals a correlation between compulsive social media use and the need for closeness, alongside a fear of relying on others. Conducted by Chris Bjornsen and Allen Harbaugh from Longwood University, the research involved 555 adult participants from the U.S. who completed an online questionnaire on their social media habits and attachment styles.
The findings indicate that individuals with a secure attachment style exhibited the lowest levels of problematic social media use, while those with avoidant, anxious, and fearful attachment styles reported increasingly higher levels of compulsive use. Vulnerable narcissism was also linked to greater problematic social media use, possibly as a means to seek attention that is challenging to obtain in real-life interactions.
The study highlights the potential impact of attachment anxiety and avoidance on one's tendency to engage in this maladaptive behavior, though it does not establish causal relationships and the findings may not apply universally due to the U.S.-centric sample.
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