.."but they also reported lower subjective well-being compared to the control group."
There's plenty of other research that indicates a larger trend in the other direction.
Below is a Bibliography/Literature review I'm currently working on for a school research project.
Article #1
APA Reference of Article Andreassen, C. (2016) et al. The relationship between addictive use of social media and video games and symptoms of psychiatric disorders: A large-scale cross-sectional study. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors. 30, 2, 252-262, Mar. 2016. ISSN: 0893-164X.
Subjects/Participants used in study 23,533 adults between the age of 16 and 88 with a mean age of 35.8
Method used Cross sectional survey focusing on addictive behaviors
Summary of main findings (2-3 sentences) The self-report surveys were used to determine the overall level of ADHD, OCD, Anxiety and Depression among the participants. Moderately high correlations were found between social media use and the listed measures. Similar results were found in gaming.
Article #2
APA Reference of Article Baker, Z. G., Krieger, H., & LeRoy, A. S. (2016). Fear of missing out: Relationships with depression, mindfulness, and physical symptoms. Translational Issues In Psychological Science, 2(3), 275-282. doi:10.1037/tps0000075
Subjects/Participants used in study 386 people between age 16-18 were recruited online from a local university. 80.84% Female 19.16% Male with a mean age of 21.98
Method used Online Survey asking about frequency of internet use
Summary of main findings (2-3 sentences) The aim of the study was to investigate a rather new social phenomenon called “FoMo” or Fear of Missing Out and its association with depressive symptoms, inattention, and physical symptoms.
Article #3
APA Reference of Article Smahel, D., Brown, B. B., & Blinka, L. (2012). Associations between online friendship and Internet addiction among adolescents and emerging adults. Developmental Psychology, 48(2), 381-388. doi:10.1037/a0027025
Subjects/Participants used in study 394 respondents between ages 12-26
Method used Subjects were asked about their social behavior and activity both online and offline. Subsequent questioning on addictive behavior.
Summary of main findings (2-3 sentences) People with larger online social circles are more likely to develop addictive internet behaviors. Alternative causal explanation: online addiction generates a tendency toward larger online social groups.
Article #4
APA Reference of Article Vogel, E. A., Rose, J. P., Roberts, L. R., & Eckles, K. (2014). Social comparison, social media, and self-esteem. Psychology Of Popular Media Culture, 3(4), 206-222. doi:10.1037/ppm0000047
Subjects/Participants used in study 145 undergraduates participated in exchange for course credit. Of the 145, 106 were female. Median age of 19
Method used Computer program analyzed subjects responses to frequency of online social media use and ratings of self-esteem
Summary of main findings (2-3 sentences) The study highlights the overall impact of social media on the fairly well understood concept of “social comparison”. Prolonged use of social media sites negative effects individuals ratings of well-being and self-esteem.
Article #5
APA Reference of Article Nichols, L. A., & Nicki, R. (2004). Development of a Psychometrically Sound Internet Addiction Scale: A Preliminary Step. Psychology Of Addictive Behaviors, 18(4), 381-384. doi:10.1037/0893-164X.18.4.381
Subjects/Participants used in study 207 volunteer participants.
Method used 13-item demographic questionnaire – self report instrument based on the DSM IV Substance Dependence Criteria.
Summary of main findings (2-3 sentences) The data indicated that 16% of the subjects reported using the internet 6-10 hours or more per week. No significant correlations were found between the reasons of internet use and addiction although there was a reasonably significant correlation between hours spent and addiction.
Lastly,
When addicts get clean, their life doesn't improve right away and they still have to deal with the psychophysiological consequences of not using. The same mechanic would apply to this situation.
More to my original point: I don't find devices and social media inherently toxic (or the lack thereof). I'm more concerned about the rapid growth of anxiety and its contexts. The device issue is just one place to start looking because it's so unmistakably pervasive.
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