Communication attributes modify the anxiety risk associated with social media addiction: a prospective diary method study

Purpose Social media use in younger people has shown mixed associations with mental health. We hypothesized that communication types during social media use might alter the relationship between social media dependence and anxiety over time. We aimed to identify how four dimensions of communication influence the link between social media addiction (SMA) and anxiety. Methods We recruited a cohort of undergraduate students aged 18-26 to participate in daily surveys over two weeks using a diary method to assess daily social media use, SMA, anxiety symptoms, and the four dimensions of communication: Consumption, Broadness, Online Exclusivity, and Parasociality. Lagged logistic regression models with generalized estimating equations evaluated the influence of daily SMA and communication type on subsequent anxiety levels. Results Out of 79 participants, 1009 daily records were analyzed. SMA positively correlated with anxiety (Kendall rank correlation τ=.30). Interaction analysis indicated that levels of parasociality and consumption moderated the association between SMA components and anxiety outcomes. In young adults with high levels of consumption or parasociality, a 1-standard-deviation rise in SMA’s social conflict component led to an 11%-13% increase in next-day anxiety scores. This association was absent for those with low to moderate levels of parasociality and consumption. Discussion Elevated levels of passive consumption and one-sided interactions amplify the anxiety risk associated with social media dependence. Further longitudinal evidence can elucidate the connections between communication types, social media exposure, and anxiety, guiding the development of a model for healthy social media use. Implications and Contribution Problematic social media use among youth necessitates targeted interventions. This study demonstrates that passive consumption and one-sided social interactions significantly heighten the anxiety risks tied to social media addiction. The findings highlight the importance of considering communication types in developing interventions aimed at reducing social media-induced mental health issues. Highlights We examined four dimensions of social media communication via a daily diary method. Consumption and parasociality moderated the SMA-anxiety link, amplifying its effects. High consumption and parasociality predicted increased next-day anxiety scores. Communication attributes are important in understanding social media use