. Using Structural Equation Modelling (SEM), this study investigated peer acceptance, peer pressure, childhood neglect, cyber-stalking, and depression as predictors of social media dependence among in-school adolescents in Ibadan, Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling approach was employed to sample 508 adolescents from six randomly selected local government areas. Standardised instruments, including the Social Media Disorder Scale, Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, and PHQ-9, were administered. The results revealed that peer pressure (β = .23, p < .001), childhood neglect (β = .17, p < .001), cyber-stalking (β = .25, p < .001), and depression (β = .26, p < .001) significantly and positively predicted social media dependence, while peer acceptance (β = –.16, p = .001) had a significant negative effect. Depression significantly mediated the relationships between the predictor variables and social media dependence, with all indirect paths statistically significant (e.g., peer pressure: β = .09, childhood neglect: β = .08, cyber-stalking: β = .06, peer acceptance: β = –.07; all p < .01). Moreover, peer acceptance moderated the relationship between peer pressure (β = -0.12; p = 0.001), childhood neglect (β = -0.09; p = 0.011), and cyber-stalking (β = -0.10; p = 0.006), indicating a buffering relationship. The structural model goodness-of-fit indices indicated good fit - χ²/df = 2.31, CFI = 0.957, TLI = 0.944, RMSEA = 0.051, SRMR = 0.042 - and accounted for 49% variance in social media dependence (R² = 0.491). This research demonstrates the intersection of social variables, emotion, and digital behaviours that affect adolescent behaviours, and underscores the need for targeted interventions promoting peer support and emotional regulation.
Omopo et al. (Tue,) studied this question.