Meta-analysis of the relationship between social media addiction and psychological well-being among university students: A comprehensive review
Year: 2026
Type: review
Study designs: Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis
Abstract: This meta-analysis synthesizes correlational research on the relationship between social media addiction and psychological well-being among university students. A random effects model, using 62 independent studies (total N = 17,800) covering publications from 2017-2026, identified through systematic searches in the Web of Science, Scopus, and ProQuest databases, yielded an overall combined effect size of r = -0.41 (95% confidence interval [-0.47, -0.35]), indicating a moderate negative association. High heterogeneity (I² = 87.4%) demonstrated the feasibility of systematic moderator analyses examining six variables. Therefore, scale of measurement, cultural context, type of social media platform, presence and type of mediating variables, publication type, and publication year were tested as moderators. Mediating variables particularly sleep quality, self-regulation, and critical thinking significantly strengthened the negative association. Cultural context also emerged as a significant moderator. Studies conducted in a Middle Eastern context yielded the largest effect sizes. Publication year showed a significant trend, with effect sizes steadily increasing over time. Publication bias assessments via funnel plot review, Egger test, and trimming and stuffing procedure showed no significant bias. The findings have practical implications for university consulting services and policymakers tasked with developing targeted digital well-being interventions.
DOI: 10.30935/ojcmt/18954
Language: English
Subfield: Sociology and Political Science
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7168145366