Zoe Katsiroumpa

Our objective was to investigate the relationship between problematic TikTok use and levels of anxiety, depression, and sleep quality. We also explored differences across sex and generational groups. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Greece using a convenience sample. Participants were classified into three generational groups: Generation Z (1997–2012), Millennials (1981–1996), and Generation X (1965–1980). Problematic TikTok use was assessed with the TikTok Addiction Scale, while anxiety and depression were measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire-4. Sleep quality was evaluated with the Sleep Quality Scale. To account for potential confounding factors, we performed multivariable linear regression analyses. Our results showed a positive association between problematic TikTok use and both anxiety and depression. Multivariable analysis revealed a negative association between problematic TikTok use and sleep quality. In summary, our findings indicate that problematic TikTok use is linked to higher levels of anxiety and depression, as well as poorer sleep quality. These results highlight the need for policymakers, stakeholders, and healthcare professionals to develop and implement targeted interventions aimed at mitigating the negative effects associated with problematic TikTok use.

Background: Health-related misinformation is a pervasive phenomenon that expanded substantially during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly regarding concerns about vaccine safety and effectiveness. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of online health misinformation susceptibility on health behaviors and vaccine hesitancy. Methods: A cross-sectional study with a convenience sample of 402 individuals was conducted in Greece, with data collected via an online survey during September 2025. We used the Health-Related Online Misinformation Susceptibility Scale to measure online health misinformation susceptibility. The Health Behavior Inventory–Short Form was used to measure health behaviors, while the Vaccine Hesitancy Scale (VHS) was used to measure participants’ hesitancy towards vaccination. We performed multivariable analysis to identify the independent effect of health misinformation after adjustment for several confounders. Results: Multivariable linear regression analysis showed a positive association between online health misinformation susceptibility and diet score (adjusted coefficient beta = 0.026; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.006 to 0.046; p = 0.010) and anger and stress score (adjusted coefficient beta = 0.033; 95% CI = 0.013 to 0.052; p = 0.001). After adjustment for confounders, we found a positive association between online health misinformation susceptibility and score on the factors “lack of confidence” (adjusted coefficient beta = 0.016; 95% CI = 0.005 to 0.028; p = 0.006) and “risk perception” (adjusted coefficient beta = 0.023; 95% CI = 0.010 to 0.036; p = 0.001). Conclusions: Our findings suggest that higher susceptibility to online health misinformation is associated with poorer health behaviors and greater vaccine hesitancy.

Our aim was to examine the association between problematic TikTok use, anxiety, depression and sleep quality. Additionally, we examined differences between genders and generations. We conducted a cross-sectional study in Greece with a convenience sample. Participants were categorized into three generation groups: Generation Z (born 1997-2012), Millennials (born 1981-1996), and Generation X (born 1965-1980). We used the TikTok Addiction Scale to measure problematic TikTok use. Moreover, we measured anxiety and depression with the Patient Health Questionnaire-4. Also, we used the Sleep Quality Scale to measure sleep quality. We constructed multivariable linear regression models to eliminate confounding. We found a positive association between problematic TikTok use, anxiety and depression. We identified a stronger association between problematic TikTok use and anxiety among males and Generation X. Moreover, we found a stronger association between problematic TikTok use and depression among males and Generation Z and Millennials. Multivariable analysis showed a negative association between problematic TikTok use and sleep quality. This association was stronger among males and Millennials. In conclusion, our findings support the association between problematic TikTok use, anxiety, depression and sleep quality. Policy makers, stakeholders and healthcare professionals should develop and implement appropriate interventions to reduce negative consequences of problematic TikTok use.

Background: Health-related misinformation is a pervasive phenomenon that expanded substantially during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly regarding concerns about vaccine safety and effectiveness. Objective: To investigate the impact of online health misinformation susceptibility on health behaviors and vaccine hesitancy. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Greece, with data collected via an online survey during September 2025. We used the Health-Related Online Misinformation Susceptibility Scale to measure online health misinformation susceptibility. Health Behavior Inventory – Short Form was used to measure health behaviors, while Vaccine Hesitancy Scale (VHS) was used to measure participants’ hesitancy towards vaccination. We performed multivariable analysis to identify the independent effect of health misinformation after adjustment for several confounders. Results: Multivariable linear regression analysis showed a positive association between online health misinformation susceptibility and diet score (adjusted coefficient beta = 0.026, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.006 to 0.046, p = 0.010) and anger and stress score (adjusted coefficient beta = 0.033, 95% CI = 0.013 to 0.052, p = 0.001). After adjustment for confounders, we found a positive association between online health misinformation susceptibility and score on the factors “lack of confidence” (adjusted coefficient beta = 0.016, 95% CI = 0.005 to 0.028, p = 0.006) and “risk perception” (adjusted coefficient beta = 0.023, 95% CI = 0.010 to 0.036, p = 0.001). Conclusion: Our findings suggest that higher susceptibility to online health misinformation is linked to poorer health behaviors and greater vaccine hesitancy.

The aim of this study was to examine the association between problematic TikTok use and procrastination, loneliness, and self-esteem in Greece. Moreover, we performed a moderation analysis to examine potential moderators such as sex and age. We conducted a cross-sectional study with a convenience sample of 1033 TikTok users. We used the TikTok Addiction Scale to measure problematic TikTok use. Additionally, we measured procrastination, loneliness, and self-esteem with the Irrational Procrastination Scale, the UCLA 3-Item Loneliness Scale, and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, respectively. We performed moderation analysis using linear regression models. We found a positive association between problematic TikTok use, procrastination, and loneliness. Also, we found a negative association between problematic TikTok use and self-esteem. Moderation analysis showed a more prominent association between problematic TikTok use and procrastination among females and Generation Z. The association between problematic TikTok use and loneliness was stronger among males and Generation X. The association between problematic TikTok use and self-esteem was stronger among males and Generation Z. In conclusion, our study supports the negative effect of problematic TikTok use on users. Moreover, sex and gender are moderators in these associations. However, due to study limitations, further research should be conducted.

The aim of this study was to examine the association between problematic TikTok use, and procrastination, loneliness and self-esteem in Greece. Moreover, we performed a stratification analysis to explore differences between females and males, and Generation Z, Millennials and Generation X. We conducted a cross-sectional study with a convenience sample of 1033 TikTok users. We used the TikTok Addiction Scale to measure problematic TikTok use. Additionally, we measured procrastination, loneliness and self-esteem, with the Irrational Procrastination Scale, the UCLA 3-Item Loneliness Scale, and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, respectively. We performed multivariable linear regression analysis to control for confounders. We found a positive association between problematic TikTok use, procrastination and loneliness. Also, we found a negative association between problematic TikTok use and self-esteem. Stratification analysis showed a stronger association between problematic TikTok use and procrastination among females and Generation Z. The association between problematic TikTok use and loneliness was higher among males and Generation X. The association between problematic TikTok use and self-esteem was stronger among males and Generation Z. In conclusion, our study supports the association between problematic TikTok use, and procrastination, loneliness and self-esteem. Moreover, there are differences between the two sexes, and age generations.

Our study aimed to evaluate the association between problematic social media use and mental health. We also examined sex and generation differences. We carried out a cross-sectional study in Greece using a convenience sample. Participants were divided into three generational cohorts: Generation Z (born 1997-2012), Millennials (born 1981-1996), and Generation X (born 1965-1980). To evaluate problematic social media use, we employed the Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale. Anxiety and depression were measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire-4, and sleep quality was assessed with the Sleep Quality Scale. We developed multivariable linear regression models to control for confounding variables. Our findings revealed a positive correlation between problematic social media use and anxiety, unaffected by sex or generation. Additionally, a positive link was found between problematic social media use and depression, with a stronger association observed in Generation Z and Millennials. Our multivariable models also indicated a negative relationship between problematic social media use and sleep quality, more pronounced among males and Millennials. In summary, our results underscore the link between problematic social media use and mental health issues. Policymakers, stakeholders, and healthcare professionals should devise and implement suitable interventions to mitigate the adverse effects of problematic social media use.

Background: TikTok use is constantly increasing, especially among young adults. Although there is a negative association between problematic TikTok use and users’ health, no study until recently has investigated the association between TikTok use and poor sleep. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate TikTok use among young adults and its association with poor sleep. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Greece. The study sample included 361 adults aged 18–35. A convenience sample through social media was employed. Levels of TikTok use among participants were measured with the TikTok Addiction Scale (TTAS). Results: The mean time of TikTok use was 2.4 h (SD; 1.6), while the mean TTAS score was 2.3 (SD; 0.7). The 11.6% of the participants are problematic TikTok users. A negative correlation between the duration of night sleep and levels of TikTok addiction was found. Also, a positive correlation between sleepiness in work or class and levels of TikTok addiction was found. Furthermore, younger ages were correlated to increased levels of TikTok addiction and time on TikTok. The levels of TikTok addiction were higher among females. Conclusions: This study suggested that higher levels of TikTok addiction and TikTok use were correlated with reduced duration of night sleep and increased sleepiness in work/class.

Background: TikTok use is constantly increasing, especially among young adults. Alt-hough there is a negative association between problematic TikTok use and users’ health, no study until recently has investigated the association between TikTok use and poor sleep. Thus, our aim was to evaluate TikTok use among young adults and its asso-ciation with poor sleep. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study in Greece. Our sample included 361 adults aged 18-35 years old. We employed a convenience sample through social media. We used the TikTok Addiction Scale (TTAS) to measure levels of TikTok use among our participants. Results: Mean time of TikTok use was 2.4 hours (SD; 1.6), while mean TTAS score was 2.3 (SD; 0.7). The 11.6% of the participants are problematic TikTok users. We found a negative correlation between the duration of night sleep and levels of TikTok addiction. Also, we found a positive correlation be-tween sleepiness in work/class and levels of TikTok addiction. Furthermore, younger ages were correlated to increased levels of TikTok addiction and time on TikTok. Levels of TikTok addiction were higher among females. Conclusions: We found that higher levels of TikTok addiction and TikTok use were correlated with reduced duration of night sleep, and increased sleepiness in work/class.

TikTok has rapidly become one of the most popular social media platforms, and, thus, scholars should pay attention to its association with users’ mental health. Our aim was to synthesize and evaluate the association between problematic TikTok use and mental health. We applied the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines in our review. The review protocol was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42024582054). We searched PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, PsycINFO, ProQuest, and CINAHL until September 02, 2024. We identified 16 studies with 15,821 individuals. All studies were cross-sectional and were conducted after 2019. Our meta-analysis showed a statistically significant positive association between TikTok use and depression (β = 0.321, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.261 to 0.381, p < 0.001), and anxiety (β = 0.406, 95% CI: 0.279 to 0.533, p < 0.001). Also, we found a positive association between TikTok use and body image issues, poor sleep, anger, distress intolerance, narcissism, and stress. Our findings suggest that problematic TikTok use has a negative impact on several mental health issues. Given the high levels of TikTok use especially among young adults, our findings are essential to further enhance our understanding of the impact of TikTok use on mental health. Finally, there is a need for further studies of better quality to assess the impact of problematic TikTok use on mental health in a more valid way.