The Role of Social Media Exposure in Shaping Anxiety, Self-Esteem, And Emotional Regulation Among Adolescents: Implications for Clinical Intervention

Abstract

This study examined the role of multidimensional social media exposure in shaping anxiety, self-esteem, and emotional regulation among adolescents within a quantitative framework. A cross-sectional survey was administered to 528 adolescents aged 13–18 years (M = 15.42, SD = 1.67). Hierarchical regression, mediation, and moderation analyses were conducted to assess direct and indirect relationships while controlling for demographic and psychosocial variables. Results indicated that passive exposure (β = .18, p < .001), feedback monitoring (β = .14, p = .002), and problematic use (β = .29, p < .001) were significant positive predictors of anxiety, with the full model explaining 35.6% of variance (R² = .356). For self-esteem, passive exposure (β = −.17, p < .001), feedback monitoring (β = −.13, p = .004), and problematic use (β = −.21, p < .001) were negatively associated, while active engagement showed a small positive association (β = .09, p = .036), with the model explaining 31.8% of variance (R² = .318). Emotional dysregulation significantly predicted anxiety (β = .47, p < .001) and self-esteem (β = −.43, p < .001) and partially mediated relationships between problematic use and both outcomes (indirect effect for anxiety = .12; 95% CI [.08, .17]). Moderation analyses revealed small but significant interaction effects involving stress and sleep quality. Findings supported a multidimensional exposure model in which evaluative and compulsive engagement patterns were more strongly associated with psychological vulnerability than general active use. Results underscore the importance of incorporating exposure quality and emotional regulation processes into adolescent mental health assessment and intervention frameworks.