Psychology: Techniques and Application ›› 2025, Vol. 13 ›› Issue (11): 691-704.

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The Influence of Social Media Use on Adolescents’ Subjective Well-being and Its Psychological Mechanism

  

  1. College of Education, Hebei University; School of Journalism and Communication, Hebei University
  • Accepted:2025-09-19 Online:2025-10-30 Published:2025-10-30

Abstract: Social media use has influence on adolescents’ subjective well-being. On one hand, chatting, authentic self-presentation and positive self-presentation exert positive effects on adolescents’ subjective well-being, while negative self-presentation and conflicting interaction exert negative effects. Among the pathways of positive effects, bonding social capital, social support, positive online feedback and social self-efficacy play mediating roles. On the other hand, content browsing exerts positive or negative effects on adolescents’
subjective well-being through upward social comparison, upward social comparison emotions and emotional contagion. Furthermore, the influence of social media use on adolescents’ subjective well-being is moderated by internal and external factors. Future research should segment social media use behavior, deepen and broaden influence mechanism and focus on the difference of effect.

Key words: social media, adolescents, well-being, subjective well-being

CLC Number: 

  • B844.2
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