Social Media Use Profiles in Adolescents: A Cluster Analysis of Interpersonal Difficulties and Social Anxiety

Social media (SM) are virtual platforms for interpersonal interactions and play a significant role in the well-being of adolescents. It is therefore essential to understand how they use SM and how this use relates to interpersonal difficulties and social anxiety. The primary aim of this study was to examine SM use profiles together with interpersonal difficulties and social anxiety in a sample of adolescents. The sample comprised 304 adolescents aged 16-18 years, selected through probabilistic sampling: 170 (55.9%) were female and 134 (44.1%) were male. Four SM use profiles were identified, according to sex, time spent on SM, and number of accounts. Differences in interpersonal difficulties and social anxiety were observed across profiles, particularly among adolescents who showed intensive SM-centred use of the internet. Differences between males and females were also evident. The findings and their implications for the development of programmes aimed at encouraging healthy SM use among adolescents with a special focus on interpersonal well-being are discussed.