Social Media Behaviors and Adjustment Correlates Among College Students: Moderating Roles of Gender and College Phase

This study investigated individual differences in social media use and its associations with adjustment outcomes among emerging adults. A diverse urban university sample of 664 students ( M age = 20.92; 79.3% female; 62.0% White) reported using various social media behaviors (e.g., self-disclosure, self-presentation) and patterns (e.g., disruptive use). Female, first-year, and ethnic minority students, especially those from multiethnic backgrounds, reported greater use. Social media behaviors, rather than frequency or time spent, were significantly associated with behavioral and social-emotional outcomes. These associations varied by gender; for males, certain behaviors (e.g., posting risky content) were linked to social-emotional adjustment (e.g., body image), while for females, they were related to behavioral adjustment (e.g., alcohol use). The relationship between alcohol use and social media use was stronger among fourth-years than younger students. The findings highlight the importance of considering specific social media behaviors and individual differences by demographic background and life stage for psychosocial well-being.