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Who is more inclined to reduce social media addictive tendency behaviors? Explanations based on sex and proactive personality

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: This study examines individual differences between the relationship between social media addiction tendencies and the intention to reduce social media use from the perspectives of sex and proactive personality. Data from 365 college students' social media users measured twice (two weeks apart) were empirically examined. The results showed that (1) social media addiction tendencies significantly and positively predicted the intention to reduce social media use; (2) the predictive effect was more significant in male students compared to female students; (3) the positive predictive influence of social media addiction tendencies on the intention to reduce social media use was significantly moderated by proactive personality, manifesting prominently in individuals possessing high levels of proactive personality, yet not in those with low levels of proactive personality. These results can help to increase the motivation of college students to reduce social media addictive tendency behaviors and further promote the improvement of social media addictive tendency behaviors.

Source: Acta Psychologica

DOI: 10.1016/j.actpsy.2025.104989

Authors: Jian Mao, Pei Chen, Jiajie He, Jiarong Chen, Yangang Nie

Institutions: Guangzhou University, South China Normal 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: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,670