RETRACTED ARTICLE: Social media usage and students’ social anxiety, loneliness and well-being: does digital mindfulness-based intervention effectively work?
BMC Psychology October 31, 2023 Retracted DOI: 10.1186/s40359-023-01398-7 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Multi-phase study combining correlational research, pretest-posttest randomized controlled trial, and qualitative case study Case report Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 380 |
| Population | University students, divided into correlation (n=300), treatment (n=60), and qualitative (n=20) subsets |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-based mobile apps |
| Measures | social anxiety scale, well-being scale, social media use integration scale, interview checklist |
| Topics | Anxiety Meditation |
| Key findings | Social media use correlated significantly with the variables under investigation. The mindfulness-based mobile app treatment reduced students' anxiety and enhanced their well-being, and participants held various positive perceptions of the apps. The authors contend these findings have theoretical and practical significance for digital psychology. |
Abstract
Abstract Background The increasing integration of digital technologies into daily life has spurred a growing body of research in the field of digital psychology. This research has shed light on the potential benefits and drawbacks of digital technologies for mental health and well-being. However, the intricate relationship between technology and psychology remains largely unexplored.
Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the impact of mindfulness-based mobile apps on university students' anxiety, loneliness, and well-being. Additionally, it sought to explore participants' perceptions of the addictiveness of these apps.
Method: The research utilized a multi-phase approach, encompassing a correlational research method, a pretest–posttest randomized controlled trial, and a qualitative case study. Participants were segmented into three subsets: correlations ( n = 300), treatment ( n = 60), and qualitative ( n = 20). Data were gathered from various sources, including the social anxiety scale, well-being scale, social media use integration scale, and an interview checklist. Quantitative data was analyzed using Pearson correlation, multiple regression, and t-tests, while qualitative data underwent thematic analysis.
Results: The study uncovered a significant correlation between social media use and the variables under investigation. Moreover, the treatment involving mindfulness-based mobile apps led to a reduction in students' anxiety and an enhancement of their well-being. Notably, participants held various positive perceptions regarding the use of these apps.
Implications: The findings of this research hold both theoretical and practical significance for the field of digital psychology. They provide insight into the potential of mindfulness-based mobile apps to positively impact university students' mental health and well-being. Additionally, the study underscores the need for further exploration of the intricate dynamics between technology and psychology in an increasingly digital world.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on anxiety, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cited by 3
- Mindfulness-Based Intervention in Schools: Addressing Social Media Burnout and Enhancing Well-Being in Adolescents. Children (Basel, Switzerland) June 23, 2025
- Scale development and validation of social media mindfulness: evidence from Chinese Douyin users Frontiers in Psychology June 12, 2026
- Autonomic and psychophysiological effects of a 13-week mindfulness-based intervention in university students Frontiers in Psychology February 4, 2026
Cites 4
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- Reducing stress and promoting well-being in healthcare workers using mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for life International Journal of Clinical and Health Psychology February 18, 2021
- A systematic review of the impact of mindfulness on the well-being of healthcare professionals. Journal of Clinical Psychology March 2018
- Mechanistic pathways of mindfulness meditation in combat veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder Journal of Clinical Psychology January 21, 2016