Boredom-related metacognitions in problematic social media use: A four‑wave longitudinal panel study

Boredom‑related metacognitions have recently been proposed as cognitive predictors of maladaptive online behaviors. The present longitudinal study examined whether positive and negative metacognitive beliefs about boredom are prospectively associated with problematic social media use (PSMU) through increased boredom proneness. A community sample of Persian‑speaking adults (N = 1,796; mean age = 38.24 years, 56.5% female) was followed across four waves over nine months. Using random‑intercept cross‑lagged panel models, within‑person dynamics were separated from between‑person stability and a coherent temporal sequence of associations was identified. Higher positive metacognitive beliefs about boredom predicted subsequent within‑person increases in boredom proneness, which in turn predicted elevations in negative metacognitive beliefs. These negative beliefs subsequently predicted increases in PSMU. Bootstrapped indirect effects confirmed significant serial mediation across two‑ and three‑wave intervals. Nested model comparisons indicated that retaining the full serial mediation pathway significantly improved model fit, supporting the importance of all proposed associations in the longitudinal process. Sensitivity analyses confirmed the findings' robustness, remaining stable with gender control and multiple imputation. Future prevention and intervention programs that address boredom‑related metacognitions as upstream cognitive vulnerabilities may be relevant targets for prevention and intervention efforts aimed at reducing maladaptive online use patterns.