Association Between TikTok Use and Anxiety, Depression, and Sleepiness Among Adolescents: A Cross-Sectional Study in Greece
Bilali A, Katsiroumpa A, Koutelekos I, Dafogianni C, Gallos P, Moisoglou I, Galanis P
Pediatric reports · 10 citations
How it was studied
- Design
- Cross-sectional study (classified by our AI screen)
- Studied in
- People
- Main outcome
- Health markers and function
Who paid for it
- Funding
- Independent funding
Based on full-text disclosure statement.
Publication
- Published
- 2025-03-11 · Pediatr Rep · vol. 17 · issue 2 · p. 34
- Publisher
- Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute
- Cited
- 13 citations · more than 100% of similar papers · 24.7× the field average
- Impact
- Top 10% most cited in its field
- References
- 84 works
- Access
- Open access (journal) · CC-BY
- Research areas
- Impact of Technology on Adolescents · Child Development and Digital Technology · Educational Methods and Impacts
- Keywords
- TikTok, social media addiction, adolescents, anxiety, depression, sleepiness, gender differences, mental health
7 authors
From GR
- Angeliki BilaliNational and Kapodistrian University of Athens; Panagiotis & Aglaia Kyriakou Children's Hospital
- Aglaia KatsiroumpaNational and Kapodistrian University of Athens
- Ioannis KoutelekosUniversity of West Attica
- Chrysoula DafogianniUniversity of West Attica
- Parisis GallosUniversity of West Attica
- Ioannis MoisoglouUniversity of Thessaly
Abstract
Introduction
TikTok use is increasing, especially among children and adolescents. However, the negative effects of TikTok use have not been sufficiently investigated.
Aim
To examine the association between TikTok use and anxiety, depression, and sleepiness in adolescents.
Methods
We conducted a web-based cross-sectional study in Greece. We employed a convenience sample of 219 adolescents in Greece. All participants had a TikTok account. We used the TikTok Addiction Scale (TTAS) to measure TikTok use and the Patient Health Questionnaire-4 (PHQ-4) to measure anxiety and depression. We constructed multivariable regression models, and we performed a stratified analysis according to gender.
Results
The mean age was 18.5 years (standard deviation: 0.5, range: 18 to 19). In our sample, 81.3% were girls and 18.7% were boys. Mean daily TikTok usage and TTAS scores were statistically higher for girls than for boys. Our multivariable linear regression analysis was adjusted for age and showed that problematic TikTok use was associated with higher levels of anxiety and depression symptoms in both genders. In particular, we found a positive association between mood modification and anxiety score (beta = 0.404, p-value = 0.006). Moreover, we found a positive association between conflict and depression score (beta = 0.472, p-value p-value p-value < 0.001).
Conclusions
Our findings showed a positive association between TikTok use and anxiety, depression, and sleepiness. Early identification of problematic TikTok users is essential to promote their mental health and well-being. Healthcare professionals should be alert to recognize symptoms of problematic TikTok use.
Abstract via Europe PMC. Copyright remains with the authors or publisher (CC BY).
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