On the dual side of personality traits: How they predict social media disorder and social well-being on social media.

Abstract

With the increasing global adoption of social media, its impact on individuals has become multifaceted. On one hand, social media can enhance users’ sense of connection, support, and belonging, referred to as Social Well-Being on Social Media (SWB-SM). On the other hand, excessive or compulsive use can interfere with daily functioning, referred to in a non-clinical sense as Social Media Disorder (SMD). Moreover, individuals differ in how they engage with social media; personality traits may shape these engagement patterns, potentially leading to beneficial or detrimental outcomes. This engagement pattern may also vary across cultural contexts that differ in social values and norms. To evaluate this, this study examined whether SWB-SM and SMD can be predicted by the same personality trait across two cultural groups. Data was collected through an online cross-sectional survey from 309 Arab participants (Age: M = 34.10, SD = 7.82, Females = 54.69%) and 259 UK participants (Age: M = 38.72, SD = 11.23, Females = 57.53%). Multivariate multiple linear regression analyses were conducted, for both Arab and UK samples separately, to examine how Big Five personality traits predict both SWB-SM and SMD. Neuroticism, in the Arab sample, and conscientiousness, in the UK sample, predicted both outcomes. These findings highlight that the same personality trait can shape both positive and negative behaviors on social media, and this pattern differs across cultural contexts. This highlights the need for personalized and culturally sensitive digital well-being interventions that mitigate problematic use while fostering positive social media experiences.