The Role of Self-Esteem, Depressive Symptoms, Extraversion, Neuroticism and FOMO in Problematic Social Media Use: Exploring User Profiles

Abstract

AbstractProblematic social media use (PSMU) is known to be associated with self-esteem, depressive symptomology, extraversion, neuroticism and the fear of missing out (FOMO). However, few studies have sought to understand how these psychological factors may converge and differentially relate to PSMU severity. Thus, the current study examined how these factors may present as different ‘user profiles’. A total of 574 participants completed an online survey, and hierarchical cluster analysis and K-means clustering techniques were used to form profiles. A five-cluster solution was identified. The clusters differed in PSMU scores and in order of PSMU severity were identified as FOMO, Emotionally Vulnerable, Low-risk, Low Extraversion and Protective profiles. These findings indicate a more nuanced understanding of PSMU severity may be gained by considering how specific psychological correlates converge as opposed to considering them as unique predictors of PSMU. Future research may benefit from conceptualising PSMU from a combined risk lens that prioritises the relationship between PSMU correlates.