Depression, Anxiety, Loneliness, and Sleep Disturbance Among Individuals with Problematic Social Media Use: A Systematic Review
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Abstract
Background: Problematic social media use is characterized by excessive preoccupation, impaired control, compulsive engagement, and continued use despite adverse consequences. Increasing evidence suggests that individuals with PSMU experience a disproportionate burden of psychological distress and sleep-related problems.
Objective: To systematically evaluate depression,loneliness, sleep disturbance among adolescents and patterns of social media use.
Methods: A systematic review was conducted according to PRISMA 2020 principles. PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, PsycINFO, and CINAHL were searched for original studies evaluating problematic social media use in relation to depression, anxiety, loneliness, or sleep disturbance. Studies assessing only general screen time, internet addiction, gaming disorder, or smartphone addiction without a distinct social-media measure were excluded. Eligible observational and longitudinal studies underwent structured data extraction and risk-of-bias assessment. Owing to substantial heterogeneity in PSMU definitions, assessment instruments, study populations, and outcome scales, findings were synthesized narratively.
Results: A total of 2,476 records were identified. After removal of 642 duplicates, 1,834 records underwent title and abstract screening. Of these, 1,628 were excluded and 206 reports were sought for retrieval. Seven reports could not be retrieved, leaving 199 full-text reports for eligibility assessment. After exclusion of 158 reports, 41 studies were included in the systematic review. Depression was evaluated in 29 studies, anxiety in 25, loneliness or perceived social isolation in 14, and sleep-related outcomes in 18; several studies assessed multiple outcomes. Most studies demonstrated significantly greater depressive and a nxiety symptoms among individuals with higher PSMU scores. Loneliness was positively associated with problematic engagement, although effect sizes varied across populations. Poor sleep quality, delayed bedtime, shorter sleep, nighttime checking, and sleep disturbance were recurrent findings. Longitudinal evidence was less extensive than cross-sectional evidence and did not consistently establish directionality.
Conclusion: Individuals with problematic social media use frequently experience co-occurring depression and sleep disturbance. Associations are more consistent when problematic-use constructs are assessed than when exposure is defined only by hours of social media use. However, predominantly cross-sectional evidence limits causal interpretation. Longitudinal studies incorporating objective digital-use data are required to clarify temporal and bidirectional relationships.
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