Does exposure to potentially traumatic events moderate the longitudinal relationship between mental health and problematic media use? Moderated multiple mediation analyses within the ABCD study

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background: Research on the relationship between screen media use and mental health in youth is inconclusive. Exposure to potentially traumatic events (PTEs) is linked to both poor mental health and problematic media use (PMU). Objective: This study aimed to investigate whether PMU, including both generic PMU and problematic social media use (PSMU), mediates longitudinal changes in mental health problems (internalising and externalising) during early adolescence, and whether exposure to PTEs moderates this relationship. Method: The sample included 6,026 participants (M = 9.55, SD = 0.50 years at baseline; 52.3% girls; 46.3% white) from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development study who had at least one social media account. Data from baseline to 3-year follow-up (YFU) were analysed using a multi-informant approach. Moderated multiple mediation analyses were conducted using the PROCESS v4.2 macro, model 59. Results: 1YFU mental health problems (p < .001) and PTE exposure (p < .050) contributed to PMU at 2YFU. Mental health problems at 1YFU, PMU, and PSMU at 2YFU were all predictors of mental health problems at 3YFU (p < .001). The relationship between mental health problems at 1YFU and 3YFU was partially mediated by PMU and PSMU at 2YFU. However, the relationship between mental health problems and PMU/PSMU was not moderated by PTE exposure. Discussion: Mental health problems and exposure to PTEs independently contributed to PMU, which in turn exacerbated mental health problems. These findings underscore the importance of monitoring media usage, especially in vulnerable youth, and considering it in treatment, if needed.