title: Social Media Use and Perceived Social Isolation Among Young Adults in the U.S.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Perceived social isolation (PSI) is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. Social media platforms, commonly used by young adults, may offer an opportunity to ameliorate social isolation. This study assessed associations between social media use (SMU) and PSI among U.S. young adults.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants were a nationally representative sample of 1,787 U.S. adults aged 19-32 years. They were recruited in October-November 2014 for a cross-sectional survey using a sampling frame that represented 97% of the U.S.
  
  
  METHODS
  SMU was assessed using both time and frequency associated with use of 11 social media platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, Google+, YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram, Pinterest, Tumblr, Vine, Snapchat, and Reddit. PSI was measured using the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System scale. In 2015, ordered logistic regression was used to assess associations between SMU and SI while controlling for eight covariates.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In fully adjusted multivariable models that included survey weights, compared with those in the lowest quartile for SMU time, participants in the highest quartile had twice the odds of having greater PSI (AOR=2.0, 95% CI=1.4, 2.8). Similarly, compared with those in the lowest quartile, those in the highest quartile of SMU frequency had more than three times the odds of having greater PSI (AOR=3.4, 95% CI=2.3, 5.1). Associations were linear (p<0.001 for all), and results were robust to all sensitivity analyses.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Young adults with high SMU seem to feel more socially isolated than their counterparts with lower SMU. Future research should focus on determining directionality and elucidating reasons for these associations.
authors.affiliation: Center for Research on Media, Technology, and Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Division of Adolescent Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Electronic address: bprimack@pitt.edu.
authors.forename: Brian A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Primack
authors.affiliation: Center for Research on Media, Technology, and Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
authors.forename: Ariel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Shensa
authors.affiliation: Center for Research on Media, Technology, and Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
authors.forename: Jaime E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Sidani
authors.affiliation: Center for Research on Media, Technology, and Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
authors.forename: Erin O
authors.initials: EO
authors.lastname: Whaite
authors.affiliation: Center for Research on Media, Technology, and Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; UPMC McKeesport Family Medicine and Psychiatry Residency Program, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
authors.forename: Liu Yi
authors.initials: LY
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.affiliation: Center for Research on Media, Technology, and Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; School of Social Work, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Rosen
authors.affiliation: Center for Research on Media, Technology, and Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
authors.forename: Jason B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Colditz
authors.affiliation: Center for Research on Media, Technology, and Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Division of Adolescent Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Radovic
authors.affiliation: Center for Research on Media, Technology, and Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Division of Adolescent Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Miller
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D010465:Perception; D012934:Social Isolation / Q000523:psychology*; D061108:Social Media / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult