Effects of problematic social media use on depressive symptoms.

ABSTRACT: The objective of this study is to determine how problematic social media use (PSMU), social media use frequency (SMU), and the number of followers (SMF) predict depressive symptoms evolution in adolescents, while evaluating the moderating effects of gender and age. Longitudinal data from 2,121 adolescents (52.38% female) were analysed at two time points (T1, T2) with a mean age (T1) of 13.79 years. Quantile regression models (τ = 0.25, 0.50, 0.75) revealed that problematic use and SMU were associated with increased depressive symptoms across all quantiles. Higher SMU predicted greater increases in depressive symptoms, particularly among younger adolescents. The interaction between SMF and SMU, also SMF and gender, was significantly associated with depressive outcomes; in particular, the ef

SUBMITTER: Blanquer-Cortes M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12764767 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature