The mediating role of social ostracism in the effect of social media addiction on loneliness in adolescents.

Objective: This study aimed to determine the mediating role of social ostracism in the effect of social media addiction on loneliness in adolescents.

Methods: This descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted with 1225 adolescent students attending high school in a province in Eastern Turkey between 30 May 2023 and 01 August 2023. The study data were collected using the "Personal Information Form", "Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale", "UCLA Loneliness Scale-Short Form" and "Ostracism Experience Scale for Adolescents". The analysis of the study data was performed by using SPSS 22.0, AMOS V 24.0, and G*Power 3.1 Statistical package software.

Results: It was determined that the model created in line with the determining the mediating role of social ostracism in the effect of social media addiction on loneliness in adolescents was compatible and the model fit indices were within the desired limits x/df = 4.481, RMSEA = 0.05, CFI = 0.96, GFI = 0.96, AGFI = 0.94, IFI = 0.96. Social media addiction has been found to affect loneliness and social ostracism (p < 0.05). It was found that social ostracism affected the level of loneliness (p < 0.05). It was determined that social ostracism had a mediating role in the effect of social media addiction on loneliness (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: As the level of social media addiction increases, the level of loneliness and social ostracism increases. As the level of social ostracism increases, the level of loneliness increases. Longitudinal studies on the factors affecting loneliness are recommended.

Practice Implications: In order to reduce the loneliness and social ostracism levels of adolescents, their access to social media should be controlled. Programs to reduce social ostracism should be designed.