Impact of Social Media Addiction on Anxiety: Mediating Role of Doom-scrolling Among Young Adults

Abstract

This study examined the role of doomscrolling as a mediator in the relationship between social media addiction and anxiety in young adults. 300 participants completed the Social Media Addiction Scale (SMAS), Doomscrolling Scale (DSS), and Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7). Correlation and mediation analyses show that social media addiction is positively and significantly related to anxiety. Additionally, results showed that doomscrolling is a mediator for social media addiction and anxiety, suggesting that excessive, repeated exposure to negative online content worsens anxiety symptoms. The present findings suggest that social media addiction is a significant predictor of anxiety, however, its negative impact on anxiety levels will be stronger if doomscrolling is also present. Overall, the results indicate a need for prevention approaches and interventions that can reduce potentially damaging online behaviors to help lessen its negative impact on mental health.