Self-esteem and problematic mobile social media use among Chinese adolescents: Adolescent social anxiety as a mediator

This study investigated the association between self-esteem and problematic mobile social media use (PMSMU) in junior high school students, along with the mediating effect of adolescent social anxiety. The sample comprised 697 junior high school students from China, who completed the Self-Esteem Scale, the Social Anxiety Scale for Adolescents, and the Adolescent Problematic Mobile Social Media Use Scale. The results showed that self-esteem was negatively associated with PMSMU among adolescents, and social anxiety partially mediated this relationship. Participants with high levels of self-esteem tended to experience low levels of social anxiety, which, in turn, reduced their vulnerability to PMSMU. By elucidating the relationships between self-esteem, social anxiety, and PMSMU, this research has advanced existing theoretical frameworks, providing insights for developing targeted mental health programs and responsible social media use interventions for adolescents.