Stress and problematic social media use among Chinese adolescents: A chain mediation model

Although stress has been shown to be related to problematic social media use among adolescents, the underlying mechanisms of this association remain poorly understood. This study explored the mediating effect of fear of missing out (FOMO) and negative affect on the relationship between stress and problematic social media use (PSMU). We recruited 629 Chinese adolescents aged between 14 and 18 years to complete a questionnaire survey that measured stress, PMSU, fear of missing out, and negative affect. The results indicated that stress was positively correlated with PSMU, while FOMO and negative affect played a series of mediating roles in this relationship. Our research findings have implications for the prevention and intervention of PSMU among adolescents. Future research can continue to delve into the mechanisms underlying the development of social media use.