Social media addiction, personality traits, and disorders: an overview of recent literature

Purpose of reviewThe rapid proliferation of social media has raised concerns regarding the maladaptive use of these platforms. Individuals exhibiting specific personality traits and disorders may be particularly vulnerable to the adverse outcomes associated with social media addiction. Despite the increasing research attention this topic has received, the relationship between personality traits, personality disorders, and addiction to social media remains fragmented and unclear.Recent findingsResearch has primarily investigated the association between Big Five and Dark Triad model personality traits and social media addiction. Findings indicate that while most of the traits within the Big Five model vary in terms of significance, personality disorders and traits within the Dark Triad, which are generally associated with maladaptive thoughts and behaviors, are positively related to addictive social media use.SummaryPersonality traits and disorders play a vital role in individuals' behavior. Research shows discrepancies in the relationship between certain traits in the Big Five model and social media addiction, warranting further investigation. At the same time, research also underscores the role of social media in potentially exacerbating conditions for those with personality disorders.