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Psychiatry International
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The Impact of Social Media on Mental Health
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The Impact of Social Media on Mental Health

A special issue of Psychiatry International (ISSN 2673-5318). This special issue belongs to the section "Mental Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2026 | Viewed by 27897

Editor

Dr. Malinda Desjarlais

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Psychology, Mount Royal University, Calgary, AB, Canada
Interests: psychology of social media; psychological well-being; social comparison; social compensation

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The pervasive adoption of social media has sparked ongoing discussions about its impact on mental health. As a distinct social context, social media has the potential to foster connection, inclusion, and social support, as well as contribute to identity formation and knowledge sharing; at the same time, concerns have emerged about its role in empathy development, communication skills, loneliness, depression, anxiety, self-esteem, stress, suicidal ideation, misinformation, and overall well-being. We adopt a relatively broad definition of social media, encompassing online contexts that involve user-generated content, personal profiles, and interconnected social networks. Research in this area can shed light on both the risks and the benefits of social media engagement—whether through general use patterns or specific online behaviors—and uncover the underlying mechanisms and moderating factors that shape these outcomes.

This Special Issue aims to supplement existing literature by bringing together findings that highlight the complex and multifaceted relationship between social media use and mental health across diverse populations, cultures, platforms, and contexts. By offering a comprehensive perspective on when, why, and for whom social media supports or undermines psychological well-being, the Special Issue seeks to guide future research and inform preventive and intervention strategies that foster healthier social media practices.

We welcome submissions from a wide range of psychological perspectives, including cyberpsychology, developmental, cognitive, social, personality, media psychology, communication, clinical, counselling, and neuroscience approaches. Contributions may examine normative or problematic patterns of social media use, overall well-being indicators, or clinical disorders, and investigate the role of social media in mental health across daily experiences and long-term outcomes. Additional topics can include the use of social media as an information source related to mental health concerns, its impact on sleep, or the effectiveness of interventions designed to promote healthier social media use. Studies employing quantitative, qualitative, mixed-method, or interdisciplinary designs are all encouraged.

Dr. Malinda Desjarlais
Guest Editor

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. Psychiatry International 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 1200 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
  • social network
  • mental health
  • psychological well-being
  • online behaviour
  • individual differences
  • connection
  • identity
  • loneliness
  • depression
  • anxiety
  • self-esteem

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

15 pages, 811 KB  
Article
Understanding Public Discourse on Bipolar Disorder: A Sentiment and Topic Modeling Analysis of Spanish-Language Tweets
by Elena Plaza-Montero, Miguel Ángel Álvarez-Mon, Miguel Ortega, Óscar Fraile-Martínez, Cielo García-Montero, María-Elena Brenlla, Irene Caro-Canizares, Melchor Álvarez-Mon and Javier Domingo-Espineira
Psychiatry Int. 2026, 7(4), 164; https://doi.org/10.3390/psychiatryint7040164 - 30 Jul 2026
Viewed by 244
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Bipolar disorder (BD) is a chronic psychiatric condition associated with substantial emotional and psychosocial burden. Social media platforms provide an opportunity to examine how BD is discussed and emotionally framed outside clinical settings. Although Spanish-language public discourse on BD remains underexplored, [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Bipolar disorder (BD) is a chronic psychiatric condition associated with substantial emotional and psychosocial burden. Social media platforms provide an opportunity to examine how BD is discussed and emotionally framed outside clinical settings. Although Spanish-language public discourse on BD remains underexplored, this gap is particularly relevant given that linguistic and cultural factors may influence how mental health conditions are expressed, perceived, and communicated. Understanding these differences is essential for developing culturally sensitive public health strategies, improving mental health literacy, and addressing stigma in diverse populations. Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted using Spanish-language tweets referring to BD posted between 2007 and 2023. After preprocessing, 170,411 unique tweets were analyzed. Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) was applied to identify dominant thematic domains, and emotional tone was classified using a RoBERTa-based model adapted from Ekman’s basic emotions. Statistical analyses were performed to examine associations between topics, emotional categories, and the presence of clinical terminology. Results: Tweet activity related to BD remained low until 2019, followed by a marked increase peaking in 2020 and remaining elevated thereafter. Topic modeling identified seven main themes, predominantly centered on symptoms, illness-related life crises, social anxiety, help-seeking, and the impact of BD on romantic relationships, while diagnosis- and treatment-related topics were less frequent. Emotional analysis showed a clear predominance of sadness across all topics, accounting for approximately 75% of tweets. Anger, joy, and optimism were present at lower frequencies and varied across thematic domains. Clinical terminology was significantly more common in diagnosis- and treatment-related topics, whereas experiential and affective narratives dominated the remaining themes. Conclusions: Spanish-language discourse on BD on Twitter is largely characterized by emotional expression and lived experience rather than biomedical language. These findings highlight cultural relevance of social media as a complementary source for understanding public perceptions of BD and underscore the importance of culturally and linguistically specific analyses in digital mental health research. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Impact of Social Media on Mental Health)
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11 pages, 263 KB  
Article
Is Social Media Use Disorder a Thing?
by David Desatnik, Moshe Shmueli, Nofar Tsur, Ariel Pollock Star and Norm O’Rourke
Psychiatry Int. 2026, 7(3), 139; https://doi.org/10.3390/psychiatryint7030139 - 17 Jun 2026
Viewed by 523
Abstract
Background: As understanding of addiction extends beyond substance misuse, various behavioral disorders may emerge as recognized mental health conditions, including social media use disorder (SMUD). To date, however, empirical research supporting SMUD as a distinct disorder is limited and inconsistent. The present study [...] Read more.
Background: As understanding of addiction extends beyond substance misuse, various behavioral disorders may emerge as recognized mental health conditions, including social media use disorder (SMUD). To date, however, empirical research supporting SMUD as a distinct disorder is limited and inconsistent. The present study set out to compare the relative prevalence of elevated symptoms suggestive of SMUD between those with no mental health history and affective disorders (both unipolar depression and bipolar disorder). Methods: Participants were recruited online and completed questionnaires measuring social media use (SMU), symptoms of SMUD, depression and various psychosocial factors associated with social media use (i.e., loneliness, social support). Among those with affective disorders, we set out to identify sociodemographic and clinical features that distinguish those with comorbid SMUD (i.e., above the cut-off on the SMUD screening measure). Results: Five main findings emerged from our analyses: (1) SMUD appears unrelated to known forms of SMU; (2) Among those with no mental health history, SMUD does not present independently of elevated depressive symptoms; (3), No sociodemographic or clinical features distinguish those with clinical depression reporting comorbid SMUD; (4), Among those with bipolar disorder (BD), symptoms of hypo/mania do not distinguish those also reporting elevated SMUD symptoms; (5) And SMUD symptoms no longer differ across clinical groups after adjusting for depressive symptoms. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that SMUD is unrelated to active or passive SMU. Symptoms suggestive of SMUD may instead be a contemporary manifestation of depressive symptomology. These findings do not support the existence of SMUD as a bona fide mental health condition. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Impact of Social Media on Mental Health)
13 pages, 382 KB  
Article
Problematic Social Media Use and Mental Health: The Mediating Role of Mindfulness
by Felix Kruse and Arvid Nagel
Psychiatry Int. 2026, 7(3), 134; https://doi.org/10.3390/psychiatryint7030134 - 11 Jun 2026
Viewed by 638
Abstract
Problematic social media use is associated with adolescents’ mental health, yet mechanisms remain underexplored. This study tested whether dispositional mindfulness mediates associations between problematic social media use and symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress. In a school-based sample of 892 students aged 10–14 [...] Read more.
Problematic social media use is associated with adolescents’ mental health, yet mechanisms remain underexplored. This study tested whether dispositional mindfulness mediates associations between problematic social media use and symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress. In a school-based sample of 892 students aged 10–14 years in Switzerland, participants completed an anonymous online classroom survey. Problematic social media use, mindfulness, and symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress were examined using structural equation modeling with robust maximum likelihood estimation and cluster-robust inference for nested data structure. Model fit was acceptable (CFI = 0.921; RMSEA = 0.052). PSMU predicted lower mindfulness (β = −0.50, p < 0.001), and mindfulness was negatively related to depression (β = −0.54), anxiety (β = −0.60), and stress (β = −0.63; all ps < 0.001). Indirect effects of PSMU via mindfulness were significant for all outcomes (β = 0.27–0.32, ps < 0.001). Direct effects of PSMU remained for anxiety (β = 0.18, p < 0.001) and stress (β = 0.14, p = 0.002) but not depression (β = 0.07, p = 0.161). Overall, findings suggest mindfulness might be an important pathway linking dysregulated social media engagement to adolescent distress. Longitudinal and experimental research is needed to clarify temporal ordering. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Impact of Social Media on Mental Health)
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12 pages, 242 KB  
Article
Associations Between Cybervictimization in Adolescence and Mental Health Four Years Later: A Nationally Representative Study of Canadian Youth
by Mila Kingsbury, Nicole Dryburgh and Leanne C. Findlay
Psychiatry Int. 2026, 7(3), 127; https://doi.org/10.3390/psychiatryint7030127 - 5 Jun 2026
Viewed by 546
Abstract
The objective of the study was to examine longitudinal associations between cybervictimization and mental health and suicidal behavior among youth. Data for 4930 youth were drawn from the Canadian Health Survey on Children and Youth (CHSCY), a nationally representative cohort survey with collection [...] Read more.
The objective of the study was to examine longitudinal associations between cybervictimization and mental health and suicidal behavior among youth. Data for 4930 youth were drawn from the Canadian Health Survey on Children and Youth (CHSCY), a nationally representative cohort survey with collection waves in 2019 and 2023. Logistic regression models predicted self-reported mental health outcomes in 2023 (depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation and suicide attempt) from cybervictimization in 2019, adjusting for baseline mental health, socio-demographic covariates, frequency of online activities, and experience of traditional bullying victimization. Fully adjusted models suggested that cybervictimization in 2019 was significantly associated with youth depression (OR: 2.41, 95%CI: 1.68, 3.45), anxiety (OR: 1.33, 95%CI: 1.05, 1.68), and suicidal ideation (OR: 1.95, 95%CI: 1.12, 3.39) four years later. The association with suicide attempt was positive but not statistically significant in adjusted models (OR: 1.77, 95%CI: 0.99, 3.16). These results suggest that youth who experience cybervictimization in adolescence are at elevated risk of mental health problems lasting into young adulthood, an association which appears to be independent of the experience of traditional face-to-face victimization. Bullying prevention programs targeted towards reducing cybervictimization may warrant further study, with the aim of informing approaches to improve adolescent mental health. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Impact of Social Media on Mental Health)
20 pages, 1440 KB  
Article
From Quest for Significance to Social Media Addiction: The Mediating Role of Boredom and the Moderating Role of Age in a Spanish Sample
by Ginevra Tagliaferri, Clarissa Cricenti, Andrea Civera-Antony, Carlos González-Manzanares and Manuel Martí-Vilar
Psychiatry Int. 2026, 7(3), 107; https://doi.org/10.3390/psychiatryint7030107 - 8 May 2026
Viewed by 1194
Abstract
(1) Background: Social media addiction (SMA) is conceptualized as a behavioral addiction linked to emotional dysregulation. This study investigates whether multidimensional state boredom mediates the relationship between the quest for significance and SMA, exploring the moderating role of age cohorts. (2) Methods: A [...] Read more.
(1) Background: Social media addiction (SMA) is conceptualized as a behavioral addiction linked to emotional dysregulation. This study investigates whether multidimensional state boredom mediates the relationship between the quest for significance and SMA, exploring the moderating role of age cohorts. (2) Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 316 Spanish participants (aged 18–68) divided into Generation Z, Millennials, and Generation X. Standardized measures (BSMAS, SQS, MSBS) were analyzed using a multiple moderated mediation model (PROCESS Model 14), controlling for gender. (3) Results: Boredom dimensions correlated positively with both quest for significance and SMA. The final model explained 53.5% of SMA variance. High-arousal boredom and inattention were positively associated with SMA, while low-arousal boredom showed a negative association. Notably, the quest for significance was indirectly associated with SMA through high-arousal boredom exclusively among Generation Z, with no significant indirect effects found in older cohorts. (4) Conclusions: The findings highlight high-arousal boredom as a key link between existential motives and SMA, particularly in younger individuals. These results underscore the importance of age-specific emotional and motivational processes in designing prevention and intervention strategies for problematic social media use. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Impact of Social Media on Mental Health)
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26 pages, 1346 KB  
Article
Associations Between Problematic TikTok Use, Anxiety, Depression and Sleep Quality: Sex and Generation Differences
by Aglaia Katsiroumpa, Zoe Katsiroumpa, Evmorfia Koukia, Polyxeni Mangoulia, Ioannis Moisoglou and Petros Galanis
Psychiatry Int. 2026, 7(3), 88; https://doi.org/10.3390/psychiatryint7030088 - 24 Apr 2026
Viewed by 23238
Abstract
Our objective was to investigate the relationship between problematic TikTok use and levels of anxiety, depression, and sleep quality. We also explored differences across sex and generational groups. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Greece using a convenience sample. Participants were classified into [...] Read more.
Our objective was to investigate the relationship between problematic TikTok use and levels of anxiety, depression, and sleep quality. We also explored differences across sex and generational groups. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Greece using a convenience sample. Participants were classified into three generational groups: Generation Z (1997–2012), Millennials (1981–1996), and Generation X (1965–1980). Problematic TikTok use was assessed with the TikTok Addiction Scale, while anxiety and depression were measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire-4. Sleep quality was evaluated with the Sleep Quality Scale. To account for potential confounding factors, we performed multivariable linear regression analyses. Our results showed a positive association between problematic TikTok use and both anxiety and depression. Multivariable analysis revealed a negative association between problematic TikTok use and sleep quality. In summary, our findings indicate that problematic TikTok use is linked to higher levels of anxiety and depression, as well as poorer sleep quality. These results highlight the need for policymakers, stakeholders, and healthcare professionals to develop and implement targeted interventions aimed at mitigating the negative effects associated with problematic TikTok use. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Impact of Social Media on Mental Health)
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