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Social media use and systemic inflammation: The moderating role of self-esteem.

ABSTRACT: Social media use has become an important part of social life. However, little is known about its relation to physical health. Extending prior work on social media use and psychological well-being, the present research investigated how social media use is associated with a key indicator of health, systemic inflammation. Based on research on self-esteem and work on inflammation, the current study examined whether the link between social media use and inflammatory biomarkers would be moderated by self-esteem. A nationally probablistic sample of middle-aged adults (N = 863) completed self-report questionnaires on social media use, self-esteem, socio-demographic information, and health related behaviors. Approximately two years later, they provided a blood sample that was analyzed for C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), biomarkers of systemic inflammation. Consistent with our hypothesis, self-esteem moderated the association between social media use and these markers of inflammation. Specifically, as self-esteem decreased, the positive association of social media use with CRP and IL-6 became stronger. These results held after controlling for socio-demographic information, health status, depressive symptoms, and medication usage. Social media use was not significantly correlated with either CRP or IL-6. The present research demonstrates physical health correlates of social media use and suggests self-esteem as a key variable that can moderate the relation between social media use and health.

SUBMITTER: Lee DS

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8474231 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Project description:BackgroundPatient engagement with diabetes self-care is critical to reducing morbidity and mortality. Social media is one form of digital health that is available for diabetes self-care, although its use for peer-to-peer communication has not been systematically described, and its potential to support patient self-care is unclear.ObjectiveThe primary aim of this systematic review was to describe the use of social media among patients (peer-to-peer) to manage diabetes and cardiovascular disease (CVD). The secondary aim was to assess patients' clinical outcomes, behavioral outcomes, quality of life, and self-efficacy resulting from peer-to-peer social media use.MethodsWe conducted a literature search in the following databases: PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, CINAHL, and PsycINFO (January 2008 through April 2019). The inclusion criteria were quantitative studies that included peer-to-peer use of social media for self-care of diabetes mellitus (with all subtypes) and CVD, including stroke.ResultsAfter an initial yield of 3066 citations, we selected 91 articles for a full-text review and identified 7 papers that met our inclusion criteria. Of these, 4 studies focused on type 1 diabetes, 1 study included both type 1 and 2 diabetes, and 2 studies included multiple chronic conditions (eg, CVD, diabetes, depression, etc). Our search did not yield any individual studies on CVD alone. Among the selected papers, 2 studies used commercial platforms (Facebook and I Seek You), 3 studies used discussion forums developed specifically for each study, and 2 surveyed patients through different platforms or blogs. There was significant heterogeneity in the study designs, methodologies, and outcomes applied, but all studies showed favorable results on either primary or secondary outcomes. The quality of studies was highly variable.ConclusionsThe future landscape of social media use for patient self-care is promising. However, current use is nascent. Our extensive search yielded only 7 studies, all of which included diabetes, indicating the most interest and demand for peer-to-peer interaction on diabetes self-care. Future research is needed to establish efficacy and safety in recommending social media use among peers for diabetes self-care and other conditions.

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Social media use and systemic inflammation: The moderating role of self-esteem.

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