The Relationship Between the Digital Media Dependency and Users' Mental Health : A Case Study of Adult Digital Media Users in Yueqing City

As media technologies continue to evolve, digital media has become a regular part of daily life, leading to growing attention on how it may affect mental health. This study looks at digital media users in Yueqing City and explores identity disturbance as a key factor in this relationship. A mixed approach was used, combining questionnaire results with follow-up interviews. The online questionnaire received 533 valid responses, and six participants were randomly chosen for semi-structured interviews. The results show a clear positive link between how often people use digital media and the level of identity disturbance they experience. Cluster analysis shows a polarized pattern, with most users falling into either high dependence–high disturbance or low dependence–low disturbance groups. Women and younger users were more likely to experience high media dependence and stronger identity disturbance. Interview data further suggest that algorithmic recommendations, fragmented content, and instant feedback mechanisms heighten media dependence. In addition, social comparison, online self-presentation, and the maintenance of multiple digital identities contribute to identity confusion and psychological stress. Theoretically, this study integrates digital identity construction into broader identity research, showing how media use shapes identity at a micro-psychological level through discursive practices. Practically, it highlights that heavy media use may intensify identity disturbance—particularly among women and youth—offering useful insights for the development of media literacy programs and targeted mental health support.