Examining the Psychological Vulnerabilities and Motives Behind Problematic TikTok Use Among Youths: A Cross-Cultural Study Using a Network Approach

Research showed that psychological vulnerabilities may underlie the problematic use of social networking sites, including TikTok. This study aimed to investigate the interrelationships between attachment attitudes, self-esteem, motives and behaviors related to TikTok use, and symptoms of problematic TikTok use among adolescents and young adults from China, Italy, and Spain. The sample comprised 3,313 TikTok users, who completed self-report measures. A network analysis was conducted to examine the interrelationships among the variables for the entire sample. Differences between the network structures of the Chinese, Italian, and Spanish groups were assessed using a network comparison test. Active TikTok usage behaviors were associated with symptoms of addictive engagement, whereas low self-esteem, high levels of attachment anxiety, and escapism motives were linked to TikTok use as compensatory strategy. Few differences were observed between the network structures. These findings may help professionals create culturally sensitive interventions to promote healthier TikTok usage behaviors.