Adolescents’ Social Media Disorder in Relation to Sensory Processing Sensitivity: Examining the Role of Positive Parenting

Abstract

Problematic social media use is associated with a wide variety of outcomes, such as addictive use (social media disorder; SMD). Previous researchers have shown that sensory processing and family factors are among the contributing factors to SMD in children. The aim of the present study is to examine the relationships between sensory processing sensitivity (SPS), positive parenting (PP) and SMD in specifically adolescents, to uncover predisposing factors. The results are based on an online survey among adolescents with a mean age of 14.30 years (N = 318) in the Netherlands. We compared scores of SPS between adolescents with and without SMD, with further exploration of the role of PP. Against what was expected, higher SPS was not related to SMD. However, average and high levels of PP seemed to be a protective factor for SMD (p < .05). The current study highlights the influence of positive parenting on SMD. More research is needed to investigate the observed association between PP and specific elements of social media use. Furthermore, a broader investigation of how different aspects of SPS influence social media use may facilitate better treatment for SMD. This can increase the quality of life among adolescents and their caregivers.