What does this research mean for the field?

Social media (SoMe) positively influences adolescents' self-esteem and social support, which in turn may enhance their identity, sense of coherence, and mental health. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.NOVEL_FINDING. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

To explore adolescents' experiences with social media use and its impacts on their self-esteem and health.

March 8, 2026Open Access

“ With all your friends in your pocket ” – a qualitative study about adolescents’ experiences with social media from a health-promoting perspective

Key Points

To explore adolescents' experiences with social media use and its impacts on their self-esteem and health.
Qualitative interviews with adolescents
Analysis of themes related to self-esteem and social support
Focus on salutogenic health-promoting perspectives
Social media serves as a significant space for building self-esteem.
There is a positive relationship between social support received via social media and enhanced self-esteem.
Interplay between social support and self-esteem positively influences identity and mental health.

Abstract

These findings indicate that SoMe might be an important social arena for the development of adolescents' self-esteem and receiving social support. Further, it seems that there is an interplay between social support and self-esteem that might positively influence their identity, sense of coherence, and mental health. However, we need more in-depth knowledge about adolescents' experiences with SoMe-use from a salutogenic health-promoting perspective.

“ With all your friends in your pocket ” – a qualitative study about adolescents’ experiences with social media from a health-promoting perspective

Key Points

Abstract

Cite This Study