The Mediating Role of Social Sensitivity in the Relationship Between Mindfulness and Secondary Traumatic Stress Among Social Media Users.
Duygu Özer, Özlem Şahin Altun
Psychological Reports August 24, 2026 DOI: 10.1177/00332941261484082 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Descriptive cross-sectional study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 433 |
| Population | Social media users in Türkiye |
| Measures | Secondary Traumatic Stress Scale for Social Media Users (STSS-SM), Social Sensitivity Scale (SSS), Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS) |
| Topics | Meditation PTSD |
| Keywords | Secondary traumatic stress Social sensitivity Social media users |
| Key findings | Higher mindfulness and social sensitivity were each weakly but significantly associated with lower secondary traumatic stress (STS) among social media users, and social sensitivity showed a statistically significant indirect association in the relationship between mindfulness and STS. Participants reporting longer daily social media use had higher STS and lower mindfulness and social sensitivity. |
Abstract
Exposure to traumatic events such as disasters, violence, and wars through social media has been associated with psychological distress and secondary traumatic stress (STS). However, limited evidence exists regarding how mindfulness and social sensitivity are associated with this digital form of trauma. This study examined the relationships among mindfulness, social sensitivity, and STS among social media users and tested the mediating role of social sensitivity. A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted in April 2025 with 433 social media users in Türkiye. Data were collected using the Secondary Traumatic Stress Scale for Social Media Users (STSS-SM), the Social Sensitivity Scale (SSS), and the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS). Correlation and mediation analyses were performed using PROCESS Model 4. There was a weak but statistically significant negative correlation between STSS-SM scores and both SSS and MAAS scores (p < .001). Mediation analysis indicated that social sensitivity showed a statistically significant indirect association in the relationship between mindfulness and STS (p < .001). Participants reporting longer daily social media use had higher STS and lower mindfulness and social sensitivity levels. Higher mindfulness and social sensitivity were associated with lower levels of social media-related STS. Mindfulness-based psychoeducational interventions may represent promising approaches for supporting psychological well-being in digital environments.
Comparable studies
Other cross-sectional and survey studies on PTSD, most cited first.
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| Coping motives mediate the relationship between PTSD and MDMA use in adolescents with substance use disorders German adolescent SUD patients aged 13–18 years at an outpatient clinic | 2022 | Cross-sectional study | n = 111 |
| Risk factors of sleep paralysis in a population of Polish students. Polish university students under 35 | 2022 | Cross-sectional survey | n = 2,553 |
| Expert opinions on implementation of MDMA-assisted therapy in Europe: critical appraisal towards training, clinical practice, and regulation. Researchers and clinicians involved in MDMA-AT clinical trials and contributors to the... | 2024 | Survey | n = 68 |
Citations in the library
Cites 4
- The benefits of being present: Mindfulness and its role in psychological well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 2003
- Mindfulness Is Associated With Lower Stress and Higher Work Engagement in a Large Sample of MOOC Participants. Frontiers in Psychology 2021
- Does mindfulness matter on employee outcomes? Exploring its effects via perceived stress. BMC Psychology March 24, 2025
- The effect of mindfulness on social media addiction among Chinese college students: A serial mediation model Frontiers in Psychiatry March 23, 2023