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Media and Mindfulness: Teens mindful social media use and mental health outcomes (#89)

Chenae Duerden 1 , Sarah M Coyne 1
  1. Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, United States

Background

Social media can provide positive outcomes such as social support from friends as well as negative outcomes including depression, poor sleep, anxiety, and lower self-esteem are common with overuse (Holmgren & Coyne, 2017). These negative outcomes could potentially be reduced with more intentional media use (Barr, 2019). A growing body of research exists surrounding the positive outcomes associated with mindfulness and the capacity to be aware and attentive to the present moment, rather than reacting to stimuli habitually (Brown et al., 2007). Very little research exists exploring the effects of mindfulness on media use, and a similar gap can be found in studies measuring teens and emerging adults specifically.

Aims

The objective of this study was to examine mindfulness and other social media habits as predictors of teen depression. 

Method

The sample for the current study included a national quota sample of 1,158 adolescents (between the ages of 10 and 17 years old) from the United States. Participants answered a variety of questions about their social media use, mental health, and body image. Data were collected through an online Qualtrics survey. Depression was measured using the patient health questionnaire (PHQ 8)(Kroenke et al., 2009). A modified Mindfulness Attention Awareness Scale (Brown & Ryan, 2009) scale was used to measure mindless social media use and assess teen’s social media mindfulness. A modified social comparison scale was used to assess social media comparison (Nesi & Prinstein, 2015). Control variables included age, race/ethnicity, and income.

Results

Correlation results supported the hypothesis that social media mindfulness would have a negative relationship with teen depression. An OLS regression model confirmed that social media mindfulness levels significantly predicted teen depression for both male and female adolescents. Our model revealed a statistically significant positive relationship between depression and social media comparison.

Conclusion

Findings suggest educating teens on how to intentionally use social media could prove an effective approach towards promoting positive mental health.  

 

  1. Holmgren, H. G., & Coyne, S. M. (2017). Can’t stop scrolling!: pathological use of social networking sites in emerging adulthood. Addiction Research & Theory, 25(5), 375-382.
  2. Barr, R. (2019). Growing up in the digital age: early learning and family media ecology. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 28(4), 341-346.
  3. Brown, K. W., Ryan, R. M., & Creswell, J. D. (2007). Mindfulness: Theoretical foundations and evidence for its salutary effects. Psychological inquiry, 18(4), 211-237.
  4. Kroenke, K., Strine, T. W., Spitzer, R. L., Williams, J. B., Berry, J. T., & Mokdad, A. H. (2009). The PHQ-8 as a measure of current depression in the general population. Journal of affective disorders, 114(1-3), 163-173.
  5. Brown, K. W., & Ryan, R. M. (2009). The mindfulness attention awareness scale (MAAS). Acceptance and commitment therapy. Measures Package, 82.
  6. Nesi, J., & Prinstein, M. J. (2015). Using social media for social comparison and feedback-seeking: Gender and popularity moderate associations with depressive symptoms. Journal of abnormal child psychology, 43(8), 1427-1438.
  • Please select up to 3 keywords from the following list to best describe your submission content: Media, Mindfulness, Social Media
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