DEATH STUDIES, cilt.46, sa.10, ss.2287-2297, 2022 (SSCI)
This study investigated the mediating role of positivity in the relationship between state anxiety and problematic social media use during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Positivity Scale, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale were used to collect data from 834 social media users. SEM-based mediation analysis was used to test hypothesized relationships. Results indicated that positivity has a direct negative effect on problematic social media use. Furthermore, the results indicated that state anxiety has a direct negative effect on positivity and state anxiety has a direct positive effect on problematic social media use. Positivity significantly mediates the relationship between state anxiety and problematic social media use.