Work

Media Multitasking Is Associated with Symptoms of Depression and Social Anxiety

Year: 2012

Type: article

Abstract: We investigated whether multitasking with media was a unique predictor of depression and social anxiety symptoms. Participants (N=318) completed measures of their media use, personality characteristics, depression, and social anxiety. Regression analyses revealed that increased media multitasking was associated with higher depression and social anxiety symptoms, even after controlling for overall media use and the personality traits of neuroticism and extraversion. The unique association between media multitasking and these measures of psychosocial dysfunction suggests that the growing trend of multitasking with media may represent a unique risk factor for mental health problems related to mood and anxiety. Further, the results strongly suggest that future research investigating the impact of media use on mental health needs to consider the role that multitasking with media plays in the relationship.

Source: Cyberpsychology Behavior and Social Networking

DOI: 10.1089/cyber.2012.0291

Authors: Mark W. Becker, Reem Alzahabi, Christopher J. Hopwood

Institution: Michigan State University

Language: English

Topic: Impact of Technology on Adolescents

Subfield: Sociology and Political Science

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

OpenAlex ID: W1982119734

FWCI: 28.64

Cites: 27

Cited by: 323

Related to: 10