@article{ref1,
title="Social media and mental health among early adolescents in Sweden: a longitudinal study with 2-year follow-up (KUPOL Study)",
journal="Journal of Adolescent Health",
year="2020",
author="Beeres, Dorien Tecla and Andersson, Filip and Vossen, Helen G. M. and Galanti, Maria Rosaria",
volume="ePub",
number="ePub",
pages="ePub-ePub",
abstract="PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to assess the longitudinal associations between the frequency of social media use and symptoms of mental ill-health among Swedish adolescents.   METHODS: Data came from KUPOL, a Swedish school-based longitudinal cohort accrued in 101 participating schools in 8 regions of Sweden. The study sample consisted of 3,501 adolescents in grade 8 (14-15 years, 51.5%, n = 1,765 girls) followed for 2 consecutive years. Daily social media use was measured as weighted average of self-reported use in weekdays and weekend days. Mental health was measured with the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). A Random-Intercept Cross-Lagged Panel Model was applied to distinguish between-person from within-person associations between social media use and symptoms of mental ill-health.   RESULTS: Median SDQ score at baseline was 9 (interquartile range [IQR] 6-14). Median social media use was 1.7 hours at baseline (interquartile range.6-3.0) and increased over the 3-year period. Adolescents with more social media use also reported higher SDQ scores, B (95% confidence interval [CI]) = 2.40 (2.03-2.77). On a within-person level, no cross-lagged associations were found between changes in social media use and subsequent changes in symptoms of mental ill-health after 1 year, B (95% CI) =.02 (-12 to.16) or vice versa B (95% CI) =.00 (-.02 to.02). Weak cross-sectional associations were found between changes in social media use and concurrent changes in symptoms of mental ill-health, B (95% CI) =.24 (.00-.48).   CONCLUSIONS: Adolescents with higher use of social media report more symptoms of mental health problems, but there is no evidence for a longitudinal association between increased use and mental health problems. This suggests that social media may be rather an indicator than a risk factor for symptoms of mental ill-health.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="1054-139X",
doi="10.1016/j.jadohealth.2020.07.042",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2020.07.042"
}