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Cited by 186Impact of Technology on AdolescentsBody Image and Dysmorphia StudiesMental Health via Writing

The DOI matches its Crossref record; 53 of the 53 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.

Exploring adolescents’ perspectives on social media and mental health and well-being – A qualitative literature review

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Popat, Anjali, Tarrant, Carolyn·2023·Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry
DOI 10.1177/13591045221092884PMC PMC9902994
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Abstract

Many quantitative studies have supported the association between social media use and poorer mental health, with less known about adolescents’ perspectives on social media’s impact on their mental health and wellbeing. This narrative literature review aimed to explore their perspectives, focusing on adolescents aged between 13 and 17. It reviewed qualitative studies published between January 2014 and December 2020, retrieved from four databases: APA Psychinfo, Web of Science, PubMed and Google Scholar. The literature search obtained 24 research papers. Five main themes were identified: 1) Self-expression and validation, 2) Appearance comparison and body ideals, 3) Pressure to stay connected, 4) Social engagement and peer support and 5) Exposure to bullying and harmful content. This review has highlighted how social media use can contribute to poor mental health – through validation-seeking practices, fear of judgement, body comparison, addiction and cyberbullying. It also demonstrates social media’s positive impact on adolescent wellbeing - through connection, support and discussion forums for those with similar diagnoses. Future research should consider adolescent views on improvements to social media, studying younger participants, and the impact of COVID-19 on social media use and its associated mental health implications.

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Research works printed but not linked: 4

  1. Bradbook G., 2008, Metting their potential: The role of education and technology in overcoming disadvantage and disaffection in young people
  2. Erikson E. H., 1950, Childhood and society
  3. Stec C., 2015, Social media definitions: The ultimate glossary of terms you should know
  4. Walker M., 2018, Why we sleep

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Metadata

Authors
Popat, A., & Tarrant, C.
Affiliations
University of Leicester (GB)
Corresponding author
Popat, Anjali
ORCID
Venue
Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry
Publisher
SAGE Publications
Published
2022-06-07
Volume
28
Issue
1
Pages
323-337
ISSN
  • 1359-1045 (ISSN-L)
  • 1461-7021
DOI
10.1177/13591045221092884
PMC
PMC9902994
OpenAlex
W4281609450
Cited by
186
References
53
Citations by year
2026: 56 · 2025: 58 · 2024: 48 · 2023: 23
FWCI
46.38
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Impact of Technology on Adolescents
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Body Image and Dysmorphia Studies
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Mental Health via Writing
Keywords
social media use, adolescents, adolescent mental health, well-being, self-expression, validation seeking, body image, appearance comparison, cyberbullying, harmful content exposure, social connectedness, peer support, fear of judgment, social media addiction
MeSH terms
COVID-19, Adolescent, Humans, Mental Health, Narration, Social Media

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