A tale of two concepts: differential temporal predictions of habitual and compulsive social media use concerning connection overload and sleep quality. Issue 2 (16th January 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Koban, Kevin; Stevic, Anja; Matthes, Jörg
• Editors: Campbell, Scott
• Is Part Of: Journal of computer-mediated communication. Volume 28:Issue 2(2023)
• Publication Date: 2023-01-16
• Subjects: social media -- habits -- compulsive media use -- connection overload -- sleep health; Telematics -- Periodicals; Computer networks -- Social aspects -- Periodicals; Communication -- Periodicals; 302.20285
• DOI: 10.1093/jcmc/zmac040
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1083-6101

Abstract

Abstract: Given how strongly social media is permeating young people's everyday lives, many of them have formed strong habits that, under specific circumstances, can spiral out of control and bring harmful experiences. Unlike in extant literature where habitual and compulsive behaviors are often conflated, we report findings from a two-wave panel study examining the individual predictive value of both habitual and compulsive social media use on connection overload (i.e., information and communication overload) and sleep quality. Longitudinal structural equation modeling reveals that only compulsive social media use is related to enhanced feelings of connection overload and to poorer sleep, whereas habitual social media use had no significant associations with either indicator over time. These differential findings highlight a conceptual imperative for future approaches to further clarify the nature of people's media habits to prevent spurious (and potentially overpathologizing) conclusions. Lay Summary: Social media are a crucial part of young people's lives. Many have formed strong habits on how they use social media. Previous research has given the impression that such habits are problematic. In the best case, they are annoying. In the worst case, they are a health threat. We argue that this may not be the case. In fact, most research confuses mere and out-of-control (in other words, compulsive) habits. Mere habits are but a product of continuous rewards. They are not very harmful. They can be controlled if needed. However, compulsive habits are more likely to be bad. If triggered in the wrong situation, they can indeed be dangerous. To test this, we conducted a longitudinal study among young people. Results show that only out-of-control habits are linked with digital stress and poor sleep; mere habits are not. Our findings suggest that we have to distinguish habit types. Otherwise, we could demonize harmless ones and obscure what bad habits may really be.