To compare the prevalence and severity of social media addiction (SMA) in five major mental disorder groups (anxiety disorders, depressive disorders, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia spectrum disorders, and obsessive-compulsive disorder) with healthy controls and examine associations with anxiety and depression.
Key Findings:
SMA prevalence was significantly higher in individuals with mental disorders compared to healthy controls, indicating a critical area for intervention.
Significant associations were found between SMA and levels of anxiety and depression within each diagnostic group, highlighting the need for integrated treatment approaches.
Mental disorders were linked to an increased risk of SMA, suggesting that mental health professionals should monitor social media use in these populations.
Interpretation:
The study highlights the critical relationship between SMA and mental health disorders, suggesting that individuals with these conditions may be at a higher risk for developing SMA, which could inform targeted prevention and intervention strategies.
Limitations:
The study's cross-sectional design limits causal inferences.
Sample size and demographic factors may affect generalizability.
Self-reported measures may introduce bias, particularly due to stigma associated with mental health and addiction.
Conclusion:
Investigating SMA in mental disorders is essential due to its potential impact on mental, physical, and social health, emphasizing the need for clinicians to address this issue in their practice.
