Problematic use or addiction? A scoping review on conceptual and operational definitions of negative social networking sites use in adolescents

M N Varona; A Muela; J M Machimbarrena

doi:10.1016/j.addbeh.2022.107400

Problematic use or addiction? A scoping review on conceptual and operational definitions of negative social networking sites use in adolescents

Addict Behav. 2022 Nov:134:107400. doi: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2022.107400. Epub 2022 Jun 9.

Authors

M N Varona¹, A Muela¹, J M Machimbarrena²

Affiliations

¹ Faculty of Psychology, Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea (UPV/EHU), Spain.
² Faculty of Psychology, Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea (UPV/EHU), Spain; Ciberpsicología Research Group, Universidad Internacional de la Rioja (UNIR), Spain. Electronic address: juanmanuel.machimbarrena@ehu.eus.

PMID: 35820296
DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2022.107400

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the conceptual and operational descriptions of negative social networking site (SNS) use in adolescents. A search was conducted among four databases, following the guidelines set forth in the PRISMA-ScR. The search resulted in 1503 articles, of which 112 met the inclusion criteria. The results showed that the negative use of SNS has been conceptualised from two approaches: (1) the component model of addiction and (2) a cognitive-behavioural problematic use paradigm. Thirty-seven instruments assessing this problem were found, with the Bergen Facebook Addiction Scale and its adaptations being the most widely used ones. These instruments dimensions were vaguely defined and often overlapped with one another. In conclusion, no standardised theoretical framework exists to assess negative SNS use in adolescents. This lack of a theoretical definition makes it difficult to compare results among studies and determine the true extent of the problem.

Keywords: Problematic social networking use; Scoping review; Social media addiction; Social networking addiction.

Publication types

Review