ArticleJournal of medical Internet research2025
The Moderated Mediating Effects of Social Media Identity and Loneliness on the Relationship Between Problematic Internet Use and Mental Health in China: Nationwide Cross-Sectional Questionnaire Study.
Article in Journal of medical Internet research, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers.
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Who cites it
4 citing papers in PubMed.
- Analysis of the current state and influencing factors of loneliness among Chinese children aged 8-18 years.Frontiers in public health · 2026Trial
- Why Do Victimized Youth Feel Lonely? Cognitive Flexibility as a Mediator and Social Support as a Contextual Moderator.The Journal of school health · 2026Article
- The Effects of Open-World and Fun, Accessible Games on Perceived Loneliness and Stoicism in Adults: Cross-Sectional Survey Study.JMIR serious games · 2026Article
- Adolescent Insomnia Disorder - Problematic Internet Use Nexus: A Convergent Developmental Trajectory - Bridging Neuroimaging Biomarkers, Molecular Susceptibility, and Environmental-Neurocognitive Cascades.Psychology research and behavior management · 2026Review
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8 authors.
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Abstract
backgroundMental health disorders are a major public health challenge, and problematic internet use (PIU) may play an important role in this issue. However, the underlying mechanisms of PIU and its effects on mental health have not yet been elucidated.
objectiveThis study examines the mediating effect of loneliness on the relationship between PIU and mental health, as well as the moderating effect of social media identity on the relationships among PIU, loneliness, and mental health.
methodsA cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted on 21,292 participants recruited using a multistage stratified sampling strategy from 31 provinces/regions in mainland China from June 20 to August 31, 2022. This study assesses PIU (PIU questionnaire-short form-6), depression (9-item Patient Health Questionnaire [PHQ-9]), anxiety (7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale [GAD-7]), loneliness (3-item loneliness scale), and social media identity (identity bubble reinforcement scale). Additionally, we collected the sociodemographic characteristics of the participants. Participants whose total score of PHQ-9≥15 or total score of GAD-7≥10 were considered to have moderate or severe symptoms of depression or anxiety, respectively. A moderated mediation model was established to examine the mediating effect of loneliness on the association between PIU and mental health outcomes (depression and anxiety), moderated by social media identity.
resultsApproximately 22.80% (4854/21,292) and 14.20% (3023/21,292) of the respondents reported moderate or severe symptoms of depression and anxiety, respectively. Loneliness significantly mediated the association between PIU and mental health outcomes, explaining 42.53% and 45.48% of the total effect of PIU on depression and anxiety, respectively. Social media identity significantly moderated the associations between PIU and depression (β=0.002, 95% CI 0.001-0.002), PIU and anxiety (β=0.001, 95% CI 0.000-0.002), loneliness and depression (β=0.010, 95% CI 0.007-0.013), and loneliness and anxiety (β=0.007, 95% CI 0.004-0.010), but not between PIU and loneliness (β=0.000, 95% CI -0.003 to 0.003). Higher levels of social media identity were significantly associated with lower levels of loneliness (β=-0.018, 95% CI -0.020 to -0.016).
conclusionsAddressing loneliness may serve as a valuable approach to mitigate the impact of PIU on mental health outcomes. However, social media identity poses a significant challenge in addressing health issues linked to PIU.
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