Social media usage: An examination from the perspective of psychological symptoms based on vulnerable narcissism

The main aim of this study is to examine the mediating effect of social comparison, perceived social-emotional loneliness, and depressive symptoms in the relationship between vulnerable narcissism and social media addiction symptoms. Within the scope of the current study, firstly, it was examined whether social media addiction symptoms differ according to age and gender, and then the relationships between vulnerable narcissism, social media addiction symptoms, social comparison, perceived social-emotional loneliness, and depressive symptoms were examined. Lastly, the mediating effect of social comparison, perceived social-emotional loneliness, and depressive symptoms in the relationship between vulnerable narcissism and social media addiction symptoms was examined. The sample consisted of 446 adult individuals aged between 18 and 64 years (M = 31.83, SD = 13.15) who reported that they are using social media. Pathological Narcissism Inventory (PNI), Social Media Addiction Scale (SMAS), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Social and Emotional Loneliness Scale (SELSA), and Social Comparison Scale (SCS) were applied to the participants. When the proposed model was tested, it was found that the results were at an acceptable level. The direct and indirect effects in the proposed model were examined. It was found that vulnerable narcissism has a positive direct effect on social media addiction symptoms, social-emotional loneliness, and depressive symptoms and has a negative direct effect on social comparison. Among the mediator variables, social comparison has a negative direct effect on social media addiction symptoms, while it has no direct effect on depressive symptoms. Perceived social-emotional loneliness and depressive symptoms do not have significant direct effects on social media addiction symptoms, but perceived social-emotional loneliness has a positive direct effect on depressive symptoms. When the indirect effects were examined, it was found that the indirect effect of vulnerable narcissism on social media addiction through depression is significant, but the indirect effect of vulnerable narcissism on social media addiction symptoms is not significant. When the indirect effects of mediator variables on social media addiction symptoms were examined, it was found that the indirect effects of social comparison and perceived social-emotional loneliness were not significant. Although depressive symptoms do not have a direct effect on social media addiction symptoms, its indirect effect on vulnerable narcissism and social media addiction symptoms is remarkable. It is thought that the findings of the study will contribute to the literature on clinical psychology and digital addiction.