Social Media Use Patterns and Their Association with Perceived Stress Among Adolescents: A Medical-Psychological Analysis in the Digital Era
Adolescents today are immersed in a digital environment in which social media plays a central role in social interaction, emotional regulation, and identity development. Growing evidence suggests that excessive or maladaptive engagement with social media may contribute to adverse psychological outcomes, particularly perceived stress. This study aimed to examine patterns of social media use and their association with perceived stress among Thai adolescents using the Perceived Stress Scale–10 (PSS-10). A cross-sectional survey was conducted among secondary school students, collecting data on demographic characteristics, preferred social media platforms, daily duration of use, usage motives, and PSS-10 scores.
The results showed that TikTok and Instagram were the most frequently used platforms, and more than 60% of participants reported using social media for over five hours per day. Entertainment, emotional relief, and social connection were the primary motives for use. Most adolescents experienced moderate levels of perceived stress, while higher stress scores were disproportionately observed among heavy users. A clear dose–response relationship was identified, indicating that longer daily exposure to social media was associated with increased perceived stress.
These findings underscore the role of digital behavior as a significant psychological determinant of adolescent mental health. Platform-specific engagement and maladaptive coping motives may amplify stress beyond the effect of usage duration alone. The study highlights the need for targeted medical-psychological interventions, digital wellness education, and school-based mental health strategies to promote healthier social media use among adolescents.
Keywords: Adolescents; Social Media Use; Perceived Stress; Medical Psychology; Digital Mental Health
