Social media use and health outcomes as moderated by rurality among sexual minority young adults.

ABSTRACT:

Background and objectives

Social media use may influence substance use and mental health symptoms differently for urban versus rural sexual minority young adults (SMYAs).

Methods

SMYAs aged 18-25 in Oklahoma and surrounding states were recruited via social media for a two-wave online survey study in 2023-2024. Among participants reporting any social media use, multivariable logistic regressions examined associations of social media use variables and rural-urban residence with health outcomes. Multiple group regressions examined whether associations varied for rural- versus urban-residing participants.

Results

The sample (N = 493; M_age = 21.68 [SD = 2.15]) was 35.7% rural-residing, 72.1% female sex, 47.1% gender-minoritized, and 41.6% racially and/or ethnica

SUBMITTER: Vogel EA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12519317 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature