Investigating the Relationship Between the Use of Problematic Social Networks and Emotional Intelligence in a Sample of Lebanese Adults.

Objective: To show the impact of problematic social media use (PSMU) on the 4 domains of emotional intelligence (emotional management, emotional awareness, social emotional awareness, and relationship management) among the Lebanese population.Methods: This cross-sectional study enrolled 466 adults (January-May 2019). The Social Media Disorder Scale and Quick Emotional Intelligence Self-Assessment were used to assess problematic social media use and emotional intelligence, respectively.Results: Higher PSMU was significantly associated with lower emotional management scores (ß = -0.13), but not emotional awareness, social emotional awareness, relationship management, or total emotional intelligence scores. Female sex and older age were associated with higher social emotional awareness (ß = 2.63 and ß = 0.10, respectively) and relationship management (ß = 2.12 and ß = 0.13, respectively) scores.Conclusions: This study showed that higher PSMU was related to lower emotional intelligence. Future prospective studies are needed to gain an understanding of the relationship between PSMU and each component of emotional intelligence, as well as the mediating factors in such associations.

Association Between Problematic Social Media Use and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in a Sample of Lebanese Adults.

Objective: Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has been recognized as a clinically diverse condition with elevated rates of comorbidities with other psychiatric conditions. The consequences of social media are gaining attention worldwide due to its rapidly increased use. The objective of this study was to identify an association between problematic social media use and ADHD in a Lebanese sample and determine whether depression or anxiety could be considered as mediators of this association.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted between January and May 2019. Proportionate random-sampling techniques were applied on all Lebanese governorates, which resulted in the recruitment of 466 community-dwelling participants. Adult ADHD was identified using the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale.Results: Higher problematic social media use (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.065) was significantly associated with higher odds of having ADHD. When anxiety was added as an independent variable, the results showed that higher anxiety (aOR = 1.043) was significantly associated with higher odds of ADHD. Anxiety mediated the association between problematic social media use and ADHD by 26.75%.Conclusions: A clear correlation was demonstrated in this study linking problematic social media use to anxiety and ADHD symptoms. This correlation was explained by the finding that constant stimulation provided by the social network sites significantly decreased attention. Future studies should evaluate the possible mechanisms and methods to increase awareness of problematic social media use, especially among the younger generation.

Association between problematic social media use and memory performance in a sample of Lebanese adults: the mediating effect of anxiety, depression, stress and insomnia.

BACKGROUND: Psychological factors such as depression, anxiety, stress and insomnia and problematic social media use are able to alter our memories and might have an impact on memory function and retrieval. More studies are needed to better understand the relationship between memory performance and mental health disorders, especially the ones that could be related to problematic social media use. The objective of this study was to evaluate any association between problematic social media use, depression, anxiety, stress, and insomnia vs memory performance among a representative sample of Lebanese people. METHODS: This cross-sectional study, conducted between January and May 2019, enrolled 466 community dwelling participants using a proportionate random sample from all Lebanese governorates. The questionnaire consisted of the following measures: the Memory Awareness Rating Scale (MARS) to assesses views of memory performance, the problematic social media use scale to measure the degree of addiction to social media, the Hamilton depression rating scale and Hamilton anxiety scale to assess depression and anxiety respectively, the Beirut Distress Scale to assess stress and the Lebanese Insomnia sale to assess insomnia. The data analysis was performed using the SPSS software version 25. A linear regression was conducted, taking the memory performance scale as the dependent variable. A mediation analysis was performed to test the effect of problematic social media use on memory performance mediated by depression, anxiety, stress and insomnia. RESULTS: Higher problematic social media use (Beta = - 0.21) and higher anxiety (Beta = - 0.25) were significantly associated with lower memory performance. The association between problematic social media use and memory performance was partially mediated by anxiety (21.19%) but not depression, stress or insomnia. CONCLUSION: Concerning problematic social media use, a clear correlation was demonstrated in this study linking it to lower memory performances. Future studies should evaluate the possible mechanisms and methods for effective awareness especially towards the younger generation.

Problematic social media use and mental health (depression, anxiety, and insomnia) among Lebanese adults: Any mediating effect of stress?

PURPOSE: To examine the association between problematic social media use with depression, anxiety, insomnia, and stress in a sample of young Lebanese adults. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was achieved between January and May 2019; 466 out of 600 adults completed the questionnaire. RESULTS: Higher problematic social media use was significantly associated with higher depression, anxiety, and insomnia, but not stress. Stress mediated the relation between depression, anxiety, insomnia, and problematic social media use. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: This study showed that problematic social media use was associated with psychological disorders. Additional research is needed to identify and describe the potential causality between the use of social media and various mental health issues and the interplay between the social media network and other mental health factors.

Factors associated with problematic social media use among a sample of Lebanese adults: The mediating role of emotional intelligence.

PURPOSE: To assess the relationship of smoking (cigarettes or waterpipe), alcohol drinking, alexithymia, self-esteem, anxiety, depression, stress, social phobia, emotional intelligence, impulsivity, insomnia, physical health, and loneliness with problematic social media use (PSMU) in a sample of Lebanese citizens. METHODS: This cross-sectional study enrolled 466 participants (January-May 2019). RESULTS: Higher anxiety, alcohol use disorder, and social phobia were correlated with elevated PSMU, while older age was associated with lower PSMU. Emotional intelligence partially mediated the association between alexithymia and PSMU by 4.55%. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Since these manifestations are preventable, spreading awareness through our schools, educational programs, and even healthcare professionals would considerably reduce the pace at which young adults are transforming into anxious and distorted individuals.