ROL MEDIADOR DEL USO PROBLEMÁTICO DE REDES SOCIALES ENTRE LA PERCEPCIÓN DE SOLEDAD Y LA CALIDAD DEL SUEÑO EN ADULTOS JÓVENES

Abstract

This study analyzed the mediating role of problematic social media use in the relationship between perceived loneliness and sleep quality in young adults. It was hypothesized that a greater perception of loneliness would increase problematic social media use, thereby worsening sleep quality. A non-experimental, cross-sectional, correlational design was used, with non-probability convenience sampling. Two hundred and four young adults participated and were assessed using the UCLA Loneliness Scale (V3) (Russell et al., 1996), the Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale (BSMAS) (Andreassen et al., 2012), and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) (Buysse et al., 1989). Data were analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM) with maximum likelihood estimation. The results showed that perceived loneliness was directly associated with poorer sleep quality and more problematic social media use, but the latter did not mediate the relationship between perceived loneliness and sleep; therefore, the proposed mediation was not confirmed. Longitudinal studies are recommended, along with exploring other mediators and developing interventions focused on managing loneliness, improving sleep habits, and reducing problematic social media use.