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What Explains the Association between Usage of Social Networking Sites (SNS) and Depression Symptoms? The Mediating Roles of Self-Esteem and Fear of Missing Out

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  • Angel Nga Man Leung

    (Department of Psychology and Centre for Psychosocial Health, The Education University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China)

  • Wilbert Law

    (Department of Psychology and Centre for Psychosocial Health, The Education University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China)

  • Yvonne Yiqing Liang

    (Department of Psychology, The Education University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China)

  • Antony Chun Lam Au

    (Department of Psychology, The Education University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China)

  • Cheng Li

    (Department of Psychology, The Education University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China)

  • Henry Kin Shing Ng

    (Department of Psychology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China)

Abstract

The goal of the study was to understand the mechanisms of how social networking sites (SNS) usage is related to depression symptoms, as measured by the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale (CESD). Three studies were conducted to examine the mediation roles of self-esteem and Fear of Missing Out (FoMO). In Study 1, among 347 Chinese college students, time spent on SNS was negatively associated with self-esteem; while self-esteem then negatively associated with depression symptoms. In Study 2, among 180 Chinese college students, time spent on SNS was positively related to FoMO; while FoMO then positively related to depression symptoms. In Study 3, among 233 Chinese university students, both self-esteem and FoMO were simultaneously included in the mediation model to test their respective roles in explaining depression symptoms. Results showed that more time spent on SNS was related to lower self-esteem, and higher FoMO, respectively; while self-esteem then negatively, and FoMO then positively, explained depression symptoms, respectively. In addition, when participants spent 3.5 h (Study 1), 2.5 h (Study 2), and 2.54 h (Study 3) on SNS, they reached the cutoff for subthreshold depression, as measured by CESD. Combining results from three studies, both self-esteem and FoMO mediated the relation between SNS usage and depression symptoms. This study provides implications to understand the mechanism of SNS-related depression.

Suggested Citation

  • Angel Nga Man Leung & Wilbert Law & Yvonne Yiqing Liang & Antony Chun Lam Au & Cheng Li & Henry Kin Shing Ng, 2021. "What Explains the Association between Usage of Social Networking Sites (SNS) and Depression Symptoms? The Mediating Roles of Self-Esteem and Fear of Missing Out," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(8), pages 1-11, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:8:p:3916-:d:532355
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Gemma Vilagut & Carlos G Forero & Gabriela Barbaglia & Jordi Alonso, 2016. "Screening for Depression in the General Population with the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CES-D): A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 11(5), pages 1-17, May.
    2. Best, Paul & Manktelow, Roger & Taylor, Brian, 2014. "Online communication, social media and adolescent wellbeing: A systematic narrative review," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 41(C), pages 27-36.
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