One Social Media Habit Linked to Anxiety and Depression Symptoms in Teens
The researchers reviewed how five behaviors online affected mental health, such as hostility from others and social comparison.
A recent study in Norway reveals a strong link between social comparison on social media and symptoms of anxiety and depression among teenagers. Researchers analyzed five online behaviors, finding social comparison to be the most significant predictor of mental health issues, including ADHD, oppositional defiant disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, and major depressive disorder.
The study, published in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health, involved over 4,000 Norwegian adolescents with an average age of 14. Social comparison accounted for 20 to 26 percent of the variance in symptoms for three major mental health conditions, and six to nine percent for two others. While passing time on social media did not independently correlate with mental health symptoms, the study's findings highlight the need for further research to determine whether mental health issues precede increased social media engagement or vice versa.
Experts emphasize that simply reducing overall screen time is insufficient, and a more nuanced approach is necessary to understand the diverse impacts of social media use on mental well-being.
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