An Investigation of the Longitudinal Bidirectional Associations Between Interactive Versus Passive Social Media Behaviors and Youth Internalizing Difficulties. A Within-Person Approach

Abstract

Ongoing concerns about the mental health of young people have intensified interest in the role of social media, with research suggesting that the nature of social media behaviors—whether interactive or passive—may differentially impact mental health. However, the bidirectional relationships between specific types of social media use and internalizing difficulties (anxiety and depression) remain underexplored, particularly at the within-person level over time. Data were extracted from the Dutch population-based Longitudinal Internet Studies for the Social Sciences (LISS) panel. Four yearly studies assessing time spent on interactive (communication) and passive use of social media in October (2019–2022) and four annual studies evaluating internalizing difficulties (anxiety and depression) in November (2019–2022) were used. Respondents who were 16- 25 years old in October 2019 (N = 321; M = 20.49; SD = 2.94; 61.7% female). Random Intercept Cross Lagged Path Models were used to analyze the data. There were no significant associations between passive social media use and internalizing difficulties at the within-person level over time. Within-person interactive use was associated with decreases in internalizing difficulties at one time point (2021 to 2022). The results provide marginal evidence that distinct social media behaviors are prospective factors associated with internalizing difficulties in young people.