A study conducted in Italy suggests that extended thinking (i.e., worry, rumination, and thinking about desires) may mediate the relationship between psychological distress and problematic social network use. According to this model, distress predisposes individuals to engage in extended thinking, which, in turn, leads to problematic use of social network sites. The research was published in Addictive Behaviors.
Social network sites (SNSs) are online platforms that allow users to create profiles, connect with others, share content, and engage in social interactions. Popular examples include Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter). These platforms facilitate communication, content sharing, and community building, helping individuals maintain and enhance social connections while providing opportunities for self-expression.
However, the use of these platforms can sometimes become problematic. Problematic social network site use refers to excessive or compulsive engagement with these platforms, leading to negative consequences in daily life, such as neglecting responsibilities, social isolation, or mental health issues. This excessive use can diminish mental health, resulting in anxiety, depression, and decreased well-being due to constant comparisons with others or the pressure to maintain a certain online image. Some users may develop addiction-like behaviors, feeling compelled to check social media constantly.
Study author Sara Bocci Benucci and her colleagues aimed to explore the cognitive processes that contribute to problematic social network site use. They hypothesized that extended thinking styles might be a contributing factor. Extended thinking styles include worrying, ruminating (repetitively focusing on negative thoughts), and thinking about desires. The researchers further hypothesized that psychological distress triggers these thinking styles, which in turn lead to problematic social network site use.
The study involved 548 Italian social network users, with an average age of 29 years; 69% of the participants were female. Of the participants, 35% had a high school diploma, and 40% held a bachelor’s or master’s degree. Additionally, 59% were students or working students.
Participants completed assessments for psychological distress (the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales-21), rumination (the Ruminative Response Scale), worry (the Penn State Worry Questionnaire), desire thinking (the 10-item Desire Thinking Questionnaire, e.g., “I repeat mentally to myself that I need to use Social Networks”), craving related to social network use (a modified version of the Penn Alcohol Craving Scale), and problematic social network site use (the Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale).
The results confirmed the proposed relationships between the studied factors. The statistical model showed that psychological distress leads to extended thinking styles (worry, rumination, and desire thinking), which in turn contribute to problematic social network site use and increased craving for these platforms. This model effectively described the data collected.
“The current findings provide preliminary evidence for the role of extended thinking in problematic social network site use (PSNSU). Worry, rumination, and desire thinking may be central cognitive processes in eliciting craving and PSNSU among individuals experiencing psychological distress,” the study authors concluded.
The study sheds light on the possible cognitive processes that contribute to problematic social network site use. However, it is important to note that the study design does not allow for conclusions regarding cause and effect. At best, the results suggest that the relationship between distress, extended thinking, and problematic social network site use is plausible.
The paper, “Testing the role of extended thinking in predicting craving and problematic social network sites use,” was authored by Sara Bocci Benucci, Benedetta Tonini, Silvia Casale, and Giulia Fioravanti.