622 - Level of peer support is associated with social media attitudes and posting behavior in youth
Monday, May 1, 2023
9:30 AM – 11:30 AM ET
Poster Number: 622 Publication Number: 622.454
Lydia S. Bliss, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, United States; Angela Calvin, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, United States; Victoria Adkins, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, United States; Ellen Selkie, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, United States
Research Specialist University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health Madison, Wisconsin, United States
Background: Youth with low in-person social support often go online to find social connection, which is important for overall well being. These youth may post more online and have positive attitudes towards social media, as these platforms provide the social support which they are otherwise lacking. Objective: This study aims to determine whether youth with lower social support from peers and close friends have higher social media posting and more positive attitudes about social media, compared to youth with higher social support. Design/Methods: As part of a larger cohort study, youth aged 13-15 completed surveys between March 12, 2019 and February 11, 2021. Participants completed questionnaires about demographics, positive and negative social media attitudes, and perceived social support from classmates and a close friend. Participants also granted permission for us to follow their Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter accounts, where we tracked the number of times they posted within a one month period. An average positive attitudes score and negative attitudes score were created from the social media attitude items. Social support was measured by averaging responses to questions regarding social support from classmates and a close friend. We ran t-tests using SPSS to compare differences in social media posting and attitudes among youth with low social support (below median) to youth with high social support (above median). Results: A total of 142 participants completed surveys (Mage= 13.6 years). Of the sample 51.4% identified as female, 47.1% White, and 92.2% non-Hispanic. Youth with low classmate support had higher positive attitudes (M = 3.39) about social media compared to youth who had high classmate support (M = 3.24, p = .04). There was no significant difference in positive attitudes between youth with low close friend support compared to youth with high close friend support (p = .10). Youth with low classmate support posted more on their social media accounts (M =13.00) than youth who had high support (M = 5.06, p</span> = .004.). Youth with low close friend support also posted more on social media (M = 12.81)compared to youth who had high close friend support (M = 4.73, p = .001).
Conclusion(s): Youth who do not feel supported by classmates or a close friend tend to post more on social media compared to youth who feel socially supported. Teens who struggle with finding supportive relationships in-person may turn to social media for social connection and also have positive views of social media. Future longitudinal research can help determine the impact of such connections and attitudes on adolescent well being.
