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Adverse Childhood Experiences and Social Media Addiction
Maryam Chegeni1,2, Nouzar Nakhaee3, Negar Sangsefidi4
1Department of Public Health, Khomein University of Medical Sciences, Khomein, Iran.
Iranian Journal of Public Health
|August 4, 2026
Summary
Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) increase social media addiction (SMA) risk, partly via lower quality of life (QoL). Improving occupational status and QoL can mitigate these long-term behavioral effects.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Public Health
- Sociology
Background:
- Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are linked to significant behavioral and psychological issues.
- Social media addiction (SMA) is a growing concern with potential negative impacts on well-being.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between ACEs and SMA.
- To examine the mediating role of quality of life (QoL) in the ACEs-SMA link.
- To explore the moderating effect of occupational status on these relationships.
Main Methods:
- 1,247 adults (aged 19-65) in Iran participated.
- Validated questionnaires assessed ACEs, QoL, and SMA.
- Structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) analyzed direct, indirect, and moderated pathways.
Main Results:
- ACEs were associated with higher SMA and lower QoL.
- QoL partially mediated the relationship between ACEs and SMA.
- Occupational status moderated the effects of ACEs on QoL and SMA, with higher job levels showing protective effects.
Conclusions:
- ACEs significantly elevate the risk of developing SMA, with reduced QoL playing a partial mediating role.
- Interventions aimed at enhancing occupational status and QoL may help reduce the long-term behavioral consequences of childhood adversity.
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