Social media self-withdrawal and its antecedents and outcomes: conceptualisation and empirical investigation

Phenomena related to social media self-withdrawal (SMSW) have attracted growing academic attention. However, literature remains underdeveloped in terms of conceptualisation and exploring of this concept. This study addresses the gaps by pursuing two research objectives: (i) achieving a systematic understanding of SMSW conceptualisation and (ii) conducting an empirical investigation integrating its antecedents and outcomes. A two-phase research methodology is employed. Phase 1 involves a literature review of withdrawal definitions, leading to a proposed definition of SMSW and a conceptual differentiation between SMSW and related concepts. Phase 2 develops and validates an Antecedents–Social Media Self-Withdrawal–Outcomes (ASMSWO) model using a mixed-methods design, comprising three studies. Studies 1 and 2 employed random sampling and structural equation modelling, drawing on data from WeChat users (n = 500; χ2(1156) = 3040.418, p < 0.001; CFI = 0.882; TLI = 0.874; RMSEA = 0.061) and TikTok users (n = 811; χ2(1456) = 2463.774, p < 0.001; CFI = 0.967; TLI = 0.966; RMSEA = 0.029), respectively. Study 3 adopted convenience sampling and conducted two rounds of focus group interviews (n1 = 5; n2 = 7) to further validate and interpret the quantitative findings. This research delineates the SMSW construct and introduces the ASMSWO model, thereby advancing scholarship on passive social media engagement and providing insights for users, platforms, policymakers, marketers, organisations and mental health professionals.