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01-12-2021 | Insomnia | Research

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

Authors: Maya Dagher, Youssef Farchakh, Sam Barbar, Chadia Haddad, Marwan Akel, Souheil Hallit, Sahar Obeid

Published in: Head & Face Medicine | Issue 1/2021

Abstract

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.

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Title: Association between problematic social media use and memory performance in a sample of Lebanese adults: the mediating effect of anxiety, depression, stress and insomnia
Authors: Maya Dagher
Youssef Farchakh
Sam Barbar
Chadia Haddad
Marwan Akel
Souheil Hallit
Sahar Obeid
Publication date: 01-12-2021
Publisher: BioMed Central
Keywords: Insomnia
Mood Disorders
Affective Disorder
Anxiety
Published in: Head & Face Medicine / Issue 1/2021
Electronic ISSN: 1746-160X
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13005-021-00260-8

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

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

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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