Adicción a redes sociales, ansiedad y depresión: un estudio generacional comparativo sobre su interrelación

Lucía Sanz Pérez; Alba Fernández Alonso; Maria Jose de Dios Duarte

doi:10.65598/rps.5979

Authors

Lucía Sanz Pérez https://orcid.org/0009-0008-0971-6589
Alba Fernández Alonso Río Hortega University Hospital, Castile and León Health Service, Spain https://orcid.org/0009-0001-6217-5119
senior lecturer Faculty of Nursing, University of Valladolid, Spain. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0148-1331

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.65598/rps.5979

Keywords:

Social media addiction, Anxiety, Depression, Generational differences, Mental health

Abstract

Introduction: Social media addiction has been linked to mental health issues such as anxiety and depression in adolescents and young adults. This study aims to analyze the relationship between compulsive social media use, anxiety and depression, and age group, in order to identify statistically significant age-based profiles of vulnerability. Methodology: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted on a sample distributed across four generations (Generation Z, Y, X, and Baby Boomers). Validated self-report instruments were used to assess compulsive social media use, anxiety and depression. Data analysis included descriptive statistics and association tests (including Pearson's chi-square) to examine generational differences. Results: Significant differences were observed between generations. Generations Z and Y exhibited higher levels of social media addiction, anxiety, and depression. In contrast, generation X and Baby Boomers had lower levels. Discussion: The greater vulnerability of younger generations can be explained by a combination of technological and contextual factors, as well as greater digital exposure. The lower impact on older generations suggests the influence of protective factors accumulated throughout life. Conclusions: This study confirms the existence of significant generational differences in the relationship between social media addiction, anxiety and depression. This highlights the need for preventive, clinical and research approaches that recognize these differences.

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Author Biographies

Lucía Sanz Pérez

Doctor José Molina Orosa University Hospital. Government of the Canary Islands, Spain.

senior lecturer, Faculty of Nursing, University of Valladolid, Spain.

María José de Dios Duarte holds a university diploma and degree in nursing, as well as a degree in Business Administration and Management. She also has a PhD in Social Psychology from the Complutense University of Madrid. She has 18 years of experience working in healthcare settings, including at the Gregorio Marañón Institute of Psychiatry and Mental Health, as well as at units and centres caring for vulnerable groups. She has over twenty years' experience teaching at university level and over fifteen years' experience in the management and administration of various university degrees. She is currently a full professor at the University of Valladolid, and has had her own research line since 2004, focusing on the influence of psychological and social factors on health and illness.

Her career combines experience in healthcare, teaching, management, and research, with a particular focus on mental health and social psychology research.

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