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The interpersonal-connections-behaviour framework proposes that social media is helpful/unhelpful to the individual to the extent that it facilitates/hinders satisfaction of core needs for acceptance and belonging (connecting and disconnecting pathways). However, little research has, to date, explicitly tested this framework. Both pathways were explored in a cross-sectional sample of UK adults at the start of the pandemic (N = 632) and in longitudinal (cross-lagged) analyses (N = 227–240). Participants completed measures of online and offline socialising with friends and family (connecting pathway), and online and offline social comparisons (disconnecting pathway), anxiety, depression and loneliness. In cross-sectional analyses higher levels of online comparisons were associated with poorer mental health, an effect that survived after controlling for offline comparisons, and was partially mediated by loneliness. Counter to our predictions, online socialising was also associated with poorer mental health. Longitudinal analyses did not support predicted directions of causality. Limitations include a lack of testing of individual-level moderators, the use of single item questions to probe some constructs, and an inability to test for effects potentially operating at different time-scales. The findings reported partially support the interpersonal-connections-behaviour framework in highlighting a disconnecting (but not connecting) pathway between online engagement and mental health. From a clinical perspective they highlight the importance of including people's online lives when considering mental health risk and resilience, particularly (one might argue) during periods of social isolation. • Online social comparisons were associated with poorer mental health. • Online socialising was also associated with poorer mental health. • Loneliness was a significant mediator depending on covariates included. • Cross-lagged panel analyses revealed complex longitudinal associations. • The findings argue for a nuanced understanding of online world/mental health links. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are concerns that the social, economic and health impacts of COVID-19 are unevenly distributed, exacerbating existing inequalities. Here we tested the hypotheses that: (H1) the magnitude of these impacts would be associated with symptoms of depression and anxiety early in the pandemic, and (H2) that these impacts would be associated with a range of sociodemographic risk factors. Cross-sectional self-report data were collected from a UK sample (N = 632) between the 16th of May and 21st of July 2020, coinciding with the early stages of the pandemic and first UK lockdown. Data were collected on COVID-19 related impacts including financial and social stressors, symptoms of anxiety and depression, and sociodemographic/economic risk factors operationalised at multiple levels including the individual, familial, household and neighbourhood. Using regression analyses both financial and social impacts were independently associated with anxiety (R2 = 0.23) and depression scores (R2 = 0.24), as well as clinically significant generalised anxiety (R2 = 0.14) and depression (R2 = 0.11). In addition, many sociodemographic factors were associated with elevated levels of COVID-19 related impacts, including being younger, female, having lower educational attainment and lower income. The main limitations of the study were its modest sample size, cross sectional design (which precluded inferences about directions of causality), and the relatively high socioeconomic status of the sample (which limited generalisability). These findings are consistent with a growing body of evidence that suggests that the pandemic has exacerbated existing inequalities, and further, point to particular groups that should be supported by post-COVID-19 recovery policies and initiatives. • COVID-19 impacts, sociodemographics and mental health symptoms were explored. • Financial/social COVID-19 impacts were associated with anxiety and depression. • However, these impacts were unequally distributed across the sample. • Risk factors included being young, female and having lower education/income. • The findings are consistent with the pandemic exacerbating existing inequalities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Whilst research into the association between social media and mental health is growing, clinical interest in the field has been dominated by a lack of theoretical integration and a focus on pathological patterns of use. Here we present a trans-diagnostic cognitive behavioural conceptualisation of the positive and negative roles of social media use in adolescence, with a focus on how it interacts with common mental health difficulties. Drawing on clinical experience and an integration of relevant theory/literature, the model proposes that particular patterns of social media use be judged as helpful/unhelpful to the extent that they help/hinder the adolescent from satisfying core needs, particularly those relating to acceptance and belonging. Furthermore, it introduces several key interacting processes, including purposeful/habitual modes of engagement, approach/avoidance behaviours, as well as the potential for social media to exacerbate/ameliorate cognitive biases. The purpose of the model is to act as an aide for therapists to collaboratively formulate the role of social media in young people's lives, with a view to informing treatment, and ultimately, supporting the development of interventions to help young people use social media in the service of their needs and values. Key learning aims: (1) To gain an understanding of a trans-diagnostic conceptualisation of social media use and its interaction with common mental health difficulties in adolescence. (2) To gain an understanding of relevant research and theory underpinning the conceptualisation. (3) To gain an understanding of core processes and dimensions of social media use, and their interaction with common mental health difficulties in this age group, for the purpose of assessment and formulation. (4) To stimulate ideas about how to include adolescent service users' online world(s) in treatment (where indicated), both with respect to potential risks to ameliorate and benefits to capitalise upon. (5) To stimulate and provide a framework for clinically relevant research in the field and the development of interventions to support young people to flourish online. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]