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Association Between Problematic TikTok Use and Procrastination, Loneliness, and Self-Esteem: A Moderation Analysis by
Aglaia Katsiroumpa1, Zoe Katsiroumpa1, Evmorfia Koukia2
1Clinical Epidemiology Laboratory, Faculty of Nursing, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece.
Problematic TikTok use is linked to increased procrastination and loneliness, and decreased self-esteem. These associations are moderated by sex and age, particularly in Generation Z and Generation X users.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Social Media Studies
- Digital Well-being
Background:
- Problematic social media use is a growing concern.
- Understanding the psychological impact of platforms like TikTok is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between problematic TikTok use and procrastination, loneliness, and self-esteem in Greece.
- To explore the moderating roles of sex and age in these associations.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study with 1033 TikTok users.
- Validated scales used: TikTok Addiction Scale, Irrational Procrastination Scale, UCLA 3-Item Loneliness Scale, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale.
- Moderation analysis conducted using linear regression models.
Main Results:
- Significant positive associations found between problematic TikTok use, procrastination, and loneliness.
- Significant negative association identified between problematic TikTok use and self-esteem.
- Moderation analysis revealed that sex and generation (Gen Z, Gen X) influence these associations.
Conclusions:
- Problematic TikTok use negatively impacts users' psychological well-being.
- Sex and age act as significant moderators in the relationship between problematic TikTok use and psychological outcomes.
- Further research is recommended due to study limitations.
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