SynthesisJournal of medical Internet research2025
Loneliness and Problematic Media Use: Meta-Analysis of Longitudinal Studies.
Synthesis 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 10 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
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Who cites it
10 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.
- Meta-analytic structural equation modeling with mediation role of problematic mobile phone use between solitude and anxiety and depression.BMC psychology · 2026Pooled it
- Mediating Effect of Perceived Ageism Experiences Between TikTok Addiction Symptoms and Psychological Distress: A Cross-Sectional Study.Health science reports · 2026Article
- Problematic social media use among young people in Germany: frequency and associated psychosocial and behavioral factors - results from the COPSY study.European child & adolescent psychiatry · 2026Article
- Concealed Loneliness: A Tillichian Diagnosis of the Algorithmic Age and Its Implications for Health.Journal of religion and health · 2026Article
- Loneliness and Problematic Social Media Use Among Adolescents: The Mediating Role of Fear of Missing Out.Brain sciences · 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
- Support system networks: how support systems shape problematic social media use, mental health, and substance use in Czech adolescents.Child and adolescent psychiatry and mental health · 2026Article
- The relationship between loneliness and social networking site addiction among Chinese college students: the roles of fear of missing out and the imaginary audience.Frontiers in psychology · 2026Article
- Psychometric validation of the English version of the digital wellbeing questionnaire for young adults.PloS one · 2026Article
- Hormonal and Behavioral Consequences of Social Isolation and Loneliness: Neuroendocrine Mechanisms and Clinical Implications.International journal of molecular sciences · 2025Review
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
2 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
Background: The association between loneliness and problematic media use has been evaluated in longitudinal studies and meta-analyses. However, previous meta-analyses have relied heavily on Pearson correlation coefficients, which may not fully account for the complexities of this association. Therefore, an updated meta-analysis incorporating more robust statistical models is needed. Objective: This study aimed to examine the longitudinal relationship between loneliness and problematic media use using various statistical models and to explore potential moderators that might influence the strength of this relationship. Methods: A systematic search was conducted using Scopus, APA PsycArticles, and PubMed to identify eligible studies up to January 24, 2024. Inclusion criteria included studies written in English, published in a peer-reviewed journal, reporting estimates of the longitudinal relationship between loneliness and problematic media use, and a longitudinal study design. Estimates of the longitudinal relationship were synthesized using a random-effects model. The Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklist was used to assess the risk of bias. Results: A total of 26 studies involving 24,798 individuals were included in the meta-analysis. Random-effects models revealed bidirectional relationships between loneliness and problematic media use. The longitudinal relationships were weaker when examined using estimated beta coefficients (rLPMU=0.10; rPMUL=0.09), followed by other statistical models (rLPMU=0.10; rPMUL=0.10) and the Pearson correlation coefficient (rLPMU=0.28; rPMUL= 0.29). Subgroup analyses demonstrated stable results for beta coefficients across various study-level characteristics (including country, lag length, measure of problematic media use, and measure of loneliness), except for type of problematic media use (Q=16.58; P<.001). Conclusions: This meta-analysis identified smaller effect sizes for the longitudinal relationships between loneliness and problematic media use compared with the previous meta-analysis. The weaker longitudinal relationship observed when using estimated beta coefficients highlights important methodological considerations for future meta-analyses. However, the contour-enhanced funnel plot and Egger regression test revealed an asymmetrical pattern, emphasizing the need for more longitudinal studies in this area.
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.