The Influence of Internalizing Problems on Social Media Addiction in Young Adults: An Empirical Study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18537/mskn.16.01.08Keywords:
internalizing problems, social media addiction, behavioral addiction, young adulthood, psychological distressAbstract
As social media use continues to expand, its potential effects on mental health have become a growing concern, especially for young adults who are among the most active users. This study explores the relationship between internalizing problems—anxiety, depression, and stress—and social media addiction among young adults. A total of 170 participants (aged 18–22 years) completed self-report measures for anxiety, depression, stress and social media addiction. Results indicated a significant relationship between internalizing problems and social media addiction. Participants with higher levels of anxiety, depression, and stress were significantly associated with greater social media addiction. Conversely, those with minimal or no internalizing symptoms had the lowest addiction scores, indicating a direct link between psychological distress and social media addiction.
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