Compulsive social media use and need for autonomy satisfaction in Dutch adolescents, mediated by self-concept clarity

Abstract

This study examined whether compulsive social media use among Dutch adolescents was associated with the need for autonomy satisfaction and if self-concept clarity mediated this relationship. Based on Self-Determination Theory hypotheses were that compulsive social media would negatively impact adolescents’ need for autonomy satisfaction and that this relation would be partially mediated through lowered self-concept clarity. A total of 274 Dutch adolescents (aged 12-16) completed self-report measures on compulsive social media use, self-concept clarity and need for autonomy satisfaction. Mediation analysis revealed that compulsive social media use was significantly related to lower self-concept clarity, which in turn predicted reduced satisfaction of the need for autonomy. While compulsive social media use was initially negatively associated with autonomy satisfaction, this total effect became non-significant after accounting for self-concept clarity, indicating a full mediation. These findings lend support for the self-concept fragmentation hypothesis and suggest that compulsive social media use undermines the development of a clear and stable self-concept, thereby hindering need for autonomy satisfaction. Although cross-sectional in design, this study highlighted self-concept clarity as a key mechanisms linking compulsive social media to the attainment of satisfaction in the need for autonomy.