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The Influence of Social Media on Health Behavior
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The Influence of Social Media on Health Behavior

A special issue of Healthcare (ISSN 2227-9032).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2026 | Viewed by 39472

Editors

Prof. Dr. Amar Kanekar

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Counseling, Human Performance and Rehabilitation, University of Arkansas at Little Rock, Litttle Rock, AR 72204, USA
Interests: health education; public health; epidemiology; research methods; obesity prevention; global health
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Manoj Sharma

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Department of Social and Behavioral Health, School of Public Health, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV, USA
2. Department of Internal Medicine, Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV, USA
Interests: substance abuse prevention; substance abuse behavior; alcohol and drug education; integrative health; community-based participatory research/evaluation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The use and application of social media platforms have been ubiquitous now for personal and professional use. The application of social media as well as social media-based campaigns for health behavior change has been a complex process (Batra & Sharma, 2023; Ghahramani, de Courten & Prokofieva, 2022).

The purpose of this Special Issue is to generate a body of evidence related to the use and application of social media in influencing behavior change such that healthy behaviors are adopted and maintained in adolescents, young adults, adults, and older adults across the nation and beyond. We are anticipating and open to receiving a wide variety of manuscripts such as theoretical/invited papers, original research articles depicting experimental and non-experimental studies, state-of-the-art reviews (narrative, systematic, and scoping) along with critical essays. Research areas of interest will include, but not be limited to, social media tools for health behavior survey design and implementation, the role of artificial intelligence (AI) and social media in designing and implementing health behavior interventions, innovative application of social media tools and platforms in initiation and sustenance of health behavior among diverse populations.

Prof. Dr. Amar Kanekar
Prof. Dr. Manoj Sharma
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-anonymized peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Healthcare is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • social media
  • behavior change
  • adolescents
  • adults
  • interventions

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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14 pages, 246 KB  
Article
The Impact of Social Media Self-Presentation and Anxiety on Ruminative Exploration Among Women Across Diverse Racial and Ethnic Groups
by Julia Zavala, Terrence Calistro, Taylor Harrington and Rebecca C. Trenz
Healthcare 2026, 14(13), 2016; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare14132016 - 7 Jul 2026
Viewed by 263
Abstract
Background: Ruminative exploration is a maladaptive form of identity development and is related to higher rates of anxiety and depression. Few researchers have examined how the four dimensions of social media self-presentation (breadth, depth, positivity, authenticity) impact ruminative exploration; much of the [...] Read more.
Background: Ruminative exploration is a maladaptive form of identity development and is related to higher rates of anxiety and depression. Few researchers have examined how the four dimensions of social media self-presentation (breadth, depth, positivity, authenticity) impact ruminative exploration; much of the literature focuses on identity coherence or identity clarity. Furthermore, the social diversification hypothesis supports that social media is used differently across racial/ethnic groups. The current study aimed to understand how social media self-presentation predicted ruminative exploration while examining the role of anxiety among women (18–29 years old) from diverse backgrounds. Method: The study design was cross-sectional and used convenience sampling. Participants (N = 225) completed surveys including the Social Media Self-Presentation Scale (SMSPS), the State-Trait Inventory for Cognitive and Somatic Anxiety, and the Dimensions of Identity Development Scale. Results: Overall, breadth and authenticity of social media self-presentation predicted lower ruminative exploration, but anxiety predicted higher ruminative exploration. There was no interaction between anxiety and any of the four SMSPS dimensions. Distinct patterns emerged when examining social media self-presentation on ruminative exploration by racial/ethnic groups. Deep and authentic presentation predicted lower ruminative exploration for Black women. Posting positive content predicted higher ruminative exploration for White women. For Latina women, none of the SMSPS dimensions predicted ruminative exploration. For each racial/ethnic group, anxiety predicted higher ruminative exploration, but there was no interaction between any of the SMSPS dimensions and anxiety on ruminative exploration. Conclusions: Findings indicate that sharing deeply and authentically may support less ruminative exploration, particularly for Black women. However, anxiety’s impact on ruminative exploration is not moderated by social media self-presentation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Influence of Social Media on Health Behavior)
17 pages, 1287 KB  
Article
Social Media Addiction and Mental Health Among University Students in Saudi Arabia: A PLS-SEM Analysis with Study Discipline as a Moderator
by Alaa M. S. Azazz and Ibrahim A. Elshaer
Healthcare 2026, 14(13), 1862; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare14131862 - 26 Jun 2026
Viewed by 290
Abstract
Background: The rapid use of social media (SM) has become a central part of university students’ everyday habits. However, its extensive SM surfing, frequently conceptualized as Social Media Addiction (SMA), is accountable for growing worries about the potential relationship with mental health symptoms [...] Read more.
Background: The rapid use of social media (SM) has become a central part of university students’ everyday habits. However, its extensive SM surfing, frequently conceptualized as Social Media Addiction (SMA), is accountable for growing worries about the potential relationship with mental health symptoms (MHS). This research paper aimed to explore the interrelationships between SMA and MHS in the Saudi Arabia (SA) context. The paper explored the role of study discipline as a moderator. Methods: Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) technique was used to analyze a set of data collected from 600 university students in SA. Results: The PLS-SEM results showed that Time Management & Performance (TM&P) and Social Comfort (SC) were significantly and positively correlated with stress, anxiety, and depression symptoms among SA university students. TM&P exhibited the strongest association with distress symptoms, while SC also displayed significant positive associations with all mental health symptoms. In contrast, Withdrawal & Health Problems (W&HP) demonstrated weak, negative and significant correlations with stress and anxiety and a non-significant correlation with depression, indicating that different aspects of SMA might be associated with mental health outcomes differently. Moreover, study discipline can significantly moderate several relationships between SMA dimensions and mental health outcomes, signalling that the psychological associations of compulsive social media use vary across disciplinary settings. Conclusion: This research contributes to the growing body of knowledge on the association between digital addiction and psychological well-being and provides a culturally grounded perspective from the Saudi Arabian context. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Influence of Social Media on Health Behavior)
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21 pages, 506 KB  
Article
Social Media Misinformation, Contraceptive Literacy, and Psychological Well-Being Among Romanian Adolescents and Young Adults
by Denisa Hinoveanu, Ahmed Abu-Awwad, Simona-Alina Abu-Awwad, Anca-Mihaela Bînă, Lavinia Stelea, Adrian Gluhovschi and Daniela Gurguș
Healthcare 2026, 14(13), 1836; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare14131836 - 24 Jun 2026
Viewed by 303
Abstract
Background/Objectives: The rapid expansion of social media platforms has profoundly changed the way adolescents access reproductive health information. While digital environments increase accessibility to contraceptive content, they also facilitate the dissemination of misinformation, potentially influencing both contraceptive literacy and psychological well-being. The present [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: The rapid expansion of social media platforms has profoundly changed the way adolescents access reproductive health information. While digital environments increase accessibility to contraceptive content, they also facilitate the dissemination of misinformation, potentially influencing both contraceptive literacy and psychological well-being. The present study aimed to evaluate the relationship between sources of contraceptive information, contraceptive misinformation endorsement, contraceptive knowledge, and mental health indicators among Romanian adolescents and young adults. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted in a cohort of 210 Romanian adolescents and young adults. Participants completed a structured self-administered questionnaire assessing demographic characteristics, contraceptive information sources, digital health behaviors, contraceptive misconceptions, and contraceptive knowledge. Anxiety and depressive symptoms were evaluated using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) scales. Correlation analyses and multivariable logistic regression models were performed to identify factors associated with poor contraceptive knowledge and moderate-to-severe anxiety. Results: Social media represented the primary source of contraceptive information for 58.1% of participants. Individuals relying predominantly on social media demonstrated significantly lower contraceptive knowledge questionnaire (CKQ) scores compared to those obtaining information from healthcare professionals (5.9 ± 1.8 vs. 8.1 ± 1.7, p < 0.001). Contraceptive misinformation endorsement was inversely correlated with CKQ scores (r = −0.44, p < 0.001) and positively associated with anxiety (r = 0.47, p < 0.001) and depressive symptoms (r = 0.41, p < 0.001). In multivariable analyses, primary reliance on social media (OR 2.21, 95% CI 1.12–4.34, p = 0.022) and low digital health literacy (OR 2.94, 95% CI 1.51–5.71, p = 0.001) were independently associated with poor contraceptive knowledge. Higher misinformation endorsement, infertility-related fears, and high social media exposure were independently associated with moderate-to-severe anxiety. Conclusions: Contraceptive misinformation endorsement was associated with lower contraceptive literacy and poorer psychological outcomes among adolescents and young adults. These findings highlight the growing importance of digital health literacy. However, given the cross-sectional design, the observed relationships should be interpreted as associations rather than causal effects, and longitudinal studies are required to clarify their directionality. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Influence of Social Media on Health Behavior)
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25 pages, 2274 KB  
Article
Psychological Needs and Problematic Social Media Use in Adolescents: A Gender-Moderated Mediation via Sensation Seeking and Cognitive Flexibility
by Kübra Dombak, İbrahim Erdoğan Yayla, Samet Makas, Eyüp Çelik, Ümit Sahranç and Mehmet Kaya
Healthcare 2026, 14(1), 8; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare14010008 - 19 Dec 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1978
Abstract
Background: The purpose of this study is to examine the mediating roles of cognitive flexibility and sensation seeking in the relationship between basic psychological needs and problematic social media use. Furthermore, the moderating effect of gender on indirect effects has been examined. Method: [...] Read more.
Background: The purpose of this study is to examine the mediating roles of cognitive flexibility and sensation seeking in the relationship between basic psychological needs and problematic social media use. Furthermore, the moderating effect of gender on indirect effects has been examined. Method: The sample of the study consisted of 838 Turkish adolescents aged between 14 and 18 (46.2% female; Mean = 15.6, SD = 1.71). Participants completed the Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale, the Basic Psychological Needs Scale, the Cognitive Flexibility Scale, and the Brief Sensation Seeking Scale. Data were analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM) with the AMOS 26.0 program. Results: A significant relationship was found between basic psychological needs and problematic social media use (r = 0.43, p < 0.001). Both cognitive flexibility and sensation seeking partially mediated this relationship in girls (β = −0.23, p < 0.001), while fully mediating it in boys (β = 0.03, p = 0.675). Conclusions: The findings suggest that problematic social media use in adolescents may be associated with cognitive flexibility and increased sensation-seeking tendencies stemming from unmet psychological needs, and that gender plays an important role in this relationship. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Influence of Social Media on Health Behavior)
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Review

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18 pages, 641 KB  
Review
A Scoping Review of the Use and Determinants of Social Media Among College Students
by Anam Fatima, Md. Sohail Akhter, Amar Kanekar, Sharmistha Roy, Rupam Mitra, Blessing Imade and Manoj Sharma
Healthcare 2025, 13(17), 2234; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13172234 - 6 Sep 2025
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 9458
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Use of social media among college students is ubiquitous. Excessive use of social media has been linked to distractions, reduced academic focus, and poor mental health outcomes such as anxiety and depression. The determinants of social media use among college students [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Use of social media among college students is ubiquitous. Excessive use of social media has been linked to distractions, reduced academic focus, and poor mental health outcomes such as anxiety and depression. The determinants of social media use among college students are not well understood. Hence, the purpose of this study was to conduct a scoping review on the behavioral, demographic, and psychosocial determinants, explore theoretical frameworks, and suggest evidence-based recommendations. Methods: This scoping review was conducted between January 2024 and May 2025 following PRISMA-ScR guidelines, using MEDLINE (PubMed), CINAHL, and ERIC databases. Peer-reviewed studies were included if they focused on college students (ages 18–30), investigated determinants of social media use, and met predefined inclusion criteria. Results: A total of 22 studies met the inclusion criteria. Studies were conducted in Bangladesh, Canada, China, Egypt, India, Nigeria, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and the United States, and the majority used cross-sectional designs (n = 20). A consistent finding across the reviewed studies was the strong association between social media overuse and symptoms of depression, anxiety, stress, and emotional dysregulation. Very few theoretical frameworks for understanding the determinants of social media were used. According to the reviewed studies, factors such as fear of missing out, sleep quality, and prolonged social media use consistently emerged as significant predictors of adverse mental health outcomes (p < 0.05). Conclusions: In this study, problematic social media use (PSMU) was linked to increased mental health issues, suggesting that students frequently engage in social comparison and experience feelings of missing out (FoMO), which exacerbate emotional distress. There is a need for integrated approaches in addressing PSMU within educational environments, particularly in fostering healthier digital habits among students. There is a need to conduct more concerted research using longitudinal designs and contemporary theoretical frameworks in this area. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Influence of Social Media on Health Behavior)
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Other

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16 pages, 434 KB  
Systematic Review
The Impact of Social Media on Health Behaviors, a Systematic Review
by Bernadette Paul and Sely-Ann Headley-Johnson
Healthcare 2025, 13(21), 2763; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13212763 - 30 Oct 2025
Cited by 25 | Viewed by 24295
Abstract
Background: Social media has transformed and influenced how health information is accessed, how people engage in health-promoting behaviors, and how they develop attitudes toward wellness. Methods: This systematic review examines the impact of social media on various health behaviors from 2010 [...] Read more.
Background: Social media has transformed and influenced how health information is accessed, how people engage in health-promoting behaviors, and how they develop attitudes toward wellness. Methods: This systematic review examines the impact of social media on various health behaviors from 2010 to 2025. Guided by the PRISMA-ScR framework, and after screening 436 articles from databases such as PubMed, PsycINFO, Scopus, and CINAHL, 82 studies were included that were published in English, and examined Social Media’s influence on health-related behaviors. Results: Thematic synthesis revealed five dominant categories: physical activity and fitness, dietary behaviors and nutrition, mental health and wellbeing, substance use and risky behavior, and health misinformation. The platform, content exposure, and user engagement are all factors that can contribute to social media being an enabler and an obstacle to positive health behavior change. Conclusions: This review identifies key knowledge gaps, highlights emerging trends, and provides direction for future interdisciplinary research and public health strategies. This review was not registered and received no funding. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Influence of Social Media on Health Behavior)
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