Social media in the adult population: Potential outcomes and its relationship with self-esteem and well-being - A systematic literature review

The rapid expansion of social media and digital device use has created a new phenomenon: Problematic Internet Use (PIU). Numerous studies have explored the potential impact of digital use on the self-esteem and well-being of users. This systematic review examines and synthesizes the findings of stud...

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Main Authors: Giorgia Rossi, Caterina Fiorilli, Giacomo Angelini, Teresa Grimaldi Capitello
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-03-01
Series:Computers in Human Behavior Reports
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S245195882400188X
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author Giorgia Rossi
Caterina Fiorilli
Giacomo Angelini
Teresa Grimaldi Capitello
author_facet Giorgia Rossi
Caterina Fiorilli
Giacomo Angelini
Teresa Grimaldi Capitello
author_sort Giorgia Rossi
collection DOAJ
description The rapid expansion of social media and digital device use has created a new phenomenon: Problematic Internet Use (PIU). Numerous studies have explored the potential impact of digital use on the self-esteem and well-being of users. This systematic review examines and synthesizes the findings of studies that have investigated the possible outcomes of self-esteem, anxiety, depression, and loneliness. A search on PsycINFO, PubMed, and Scopus identified 37 eligible studies that investigated these variables in a sample of adults (18 years and above). The findings from these studies were categorized based on their impact on self-esteem, anxiety, depression, and loneliness. They reported the relationship of these variables with other interesting factors such as Fear of Missing out (FoMo), social anxiety, emotional investment, and differences between young adults and older adults and the differences based on gender. However, the studies included in the review have limitations, such as small sample sizes, cross-sectional design, and self-reporting to evaluate the possible consequences. To gain a deeper understanding of the mechanisms underlying the relationship between digital use and its impact on users, future studies must investigate this relationship through qualitative and longitudinal studies.
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spelling doaj-art-814cf4c725804684b37eebc05c1b51a42025-08-20T02:45:53ZengElsevierComputers in Human Behavior Reports2451-95882025-03-011710055510.1016/j.chbr.2024.100555Social media in the adult population: Potential outcomes and its relationship with self-esteem and well-being - A systematic literature reviewGiorgia Rossi0Caterina Fiorilli1Giacomo Angelini2Teresa Grimaldi Capitello3Department of Human Studies, LUMSA University, 00193, Rome, Italy; Corresponding author.Department of Human Studies, LUMSA University, 00193, Rome, ItalyDepartment of Human Studies, LUMSA University, 00193, Rome, ItalyDepartment of Human Studies, LUMSA University, 00193, Rome, Italy; Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital (IRCCS), 00146, Rome, ItalyThe rapid expansion of social media and digital device use has created a new phenomenon: Problematic Internet Use (PIU). Numerous studies have explored the potential impact of digital use on the self-esteem and well-being of users. This systematic review examines and synthesizes the findings of studies that have investigated the possible outcomes of self-esteem, anxiety, depression, and loneliness. A search on PsycINFO, PubMed, and Scopus identified 37 eligible studies that investigated these variables in a sample of adults (18 years and above). The findings from these studies were categorized based on their impact on self-esteem, anxiety, depression, and loneliness. They reported the relationship of these variables with other interesting factors such as Fear of Missing out (FoMo), social anxiety, emotional investment, and differences between young adults and older adults and the differences based on gender. However, the studies included in the review have limitations, such as small sample sizes, cross-sectional design, and self-reporting to evaluate the possible consequences. To gain a deeper understanding of the mechanisms underlying the relationship between digital use and its impact on users, future studies must investigate this relationship through qualitative and longitudinal studies.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S245195882400188XSocial media useInternet useSelf-esteemAnxietyDepressionLoneliness
spellingShingle Giorgia Rossi
Caterina Fiorilli
Giacomo Angelini
Teresa Grimaldi Capitello
Social media in the adult population: Potential outcomes and its relationship with self-esteem and well-being - A systematic literature review
Computers in Human Behavior Reports
Social media use
Internet use
Self-esteem
Anxiety
Depression
Loneliness
title Social media in the adult population: Potential outcomes and its relationship with self-esteem and well-being - A systematic literature review
title_full Social media in the adult population: Potential outcomes and its relationship with self-esteem and well-being - A systematic literature review
title_fullStr Social media in the adult population: Potential outcomes and its relationship with self-esteem and well-being - A systematic literature review
title_full_unstemmed Social media in the adult population: Potential outcomes and its relationship with self-esteem and well-being - A systematic literature review
title_short Social media in the adult population: Potential outcomes and its relationship with self-esteem and well-being - A systematic literature review
title_sort social media in the adult population potential outcomes and its relationship with self esteem and well being a systematic literature review
topic Social media use
Internet use
Self-esteem
Anxiety
Depression
Loneliness
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S245195882400188X
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