The Influence of Social Media Usage Intensity on Adolescent Mental Health: The Mediating Role of Cyberbullying and Peer Social Support, Jambi Luar Kota District, Muaro Jambi Regency

Abstract

The intensity of social media use may influence adolescent mental health through psychosocial mechanisms, yet integrated evidence on the simultaneous role of cyberbullying as a risk pathway and peer social support as a protective pathway remains limited, particularly in semi-urban Indonesian contexts such as Jambi Luar Kota District, Muaro Jambi Regency. Purpose: This study aimed to examine the association between social media use intensity and adolescent mental health and to test the intermediary roles of cyberbullying and peer social support. Methods: A quantitative analytic observational cross-sectional design was employed among 330 adolescents aged 13–18 years selected via proportionate stratified random sampling from junior and senior secondary schools. Structured questionnaires assessed social media use intensity, cyberbullying, peer social support, and mental health; The data were analyzed using univariate and bivariate statistics with significance set at p<0.05. Results: Higher social media intensity was significantly associated with greater cyberbullying (p<0.001, Cramer's V=0.245), modestly higher peer support (p=0.045), and poorer mental health (p<0.001). Cyberbullying was linked to worse mental health (p<0.001), while higher peer support was associated with better mental health (p<0.001). Implications: Findings support school- and community-based programs that combine digital safety education to reduce cyberbullying with strategies to strengthen peer social support rather than solely limiting screen time. Conclusion: Social media intensity relates to adolescent mental health through dual opposing psychosocial pathways; Longitudinal research is recommended to confirm mediation and temporal order.