Clinical Report: Examining the Effects of Challenging Social Media Engagement on Adolescent Well-Being

Overview

This study investigates the relationship between problematic social media use and subjective well-being (SWB) among adolescents. Key predictors of SWB include feelings of escape, family conflict, age, and gender.

Background

Subjective well-being (SWB) is a critical indicator of adolescents' quality of life and psychological adjustment. Problematic social media use has been linked to lower SWB.

Data Highlights

Key Findings

• Problematic social media use negatively impacts adolescents' subjective well-being (SWB).
• Feeling escape and family conflict account for 49.26% of the total variance in SWB.
• Age and sex account for 25.5% of the variance in SWB.
• Multivariate logistic regression indicates that feeling escape, family conflict, increasing age, and female gender are significantly associated with lower SWB.

Clinical Implications

Clinicians should consider the emotional and familial contexts of adolescents when addressing issues related to social media use.

Conclusion

Understanding the predictors of SWB in adolescents is essential.

Related Resources & Content

1. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 2026 -- Applications of machine learning algorithms to detect digital addiction: a meta-analysis
2. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 2026 -- Machine learning–based prediction of suicide attempts among adolescents: a national study using explainable artificial intelligence
3. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 2026 -- Development and validation of a machine learning–based risk prediction model for non-suicidal self-injury in adolescents
4. Digital Ecosystems, Children, and Adolescents: Policy Statement | Pediatrics | American Academy of Pediatrics
5. Reducing Social Media Use Decreases Depression Symptoms: A Meta-Analysis of Randomised Controlled Trials - PubMed
6. BMC Psychiatry (Springer) — Utilizing a Brief Computerized Cognitive Task and LASSO Regression to Distinguish Adolescents with Severe Internalizing Symptoms
7. Digital Ecosystems, Children, and Adolescents: Policy Statement | Pediatrics | American Academy of Pediatrics
8. Reducing Social Media Use Decreases Depression Symptoms: A Meta-Analysis of Randomised Controlled Trials - PubMed
9. A cluster randomized trial of a combined Mental Health Literacy (MHL) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) classroom-based intervention - PubMed