Work

How change in sociality over time moderates the association between mobile and social media use and well-being

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Mobile and social media are often identified as a means of enhancing social connection for those who wish to connect. In line with research on relational maintenance and the communicate bond belong theory, a need for connection can drive individuals to reach out to relational partners through mobile and social media, which might boost overall well-being. Using 3 longitudinal datasets that differ by time period (i.e., 6 years, 1 year, 1 month) and context (i.e., older adults’ pandemic-era communication, college student communication with friends, daily diary study of social media use), we test whether change in sociality moderates the association between frequency of mobile and social media use and well-being. In contrast to our hypothesis, when experiencing declines in sociality, the use of mobile and social media was either unrelated to well-being or associated with a decline in well-being. These findings challenge long-held assumptions about relational maintenance through media.

Source: Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication

DOI: 10.1093/jcmc/zmaf019

Authors: Jeffrey A Hall, Natalie Pennington

Institutions: University of Kansas, Colorado 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: diamond

Funder: University of Kansas