Social media engagement during wartime in Lebanon: The mediating role of social Media–Related psychological distress

This study examines associations between social media intensity and characteristics of use during Lebanon’s 2024 war, social media-related psychological distress (SMPD), and university students’ mental health indicators. A quantitative method approach was adopted. Data were collected from 225 Lebanese university students between November 2024 and January 2025. Significant indirect associations were observed between daily social media use and depression, anxiety, and perceived stress through the mediation of SMPD. Path-specific moderation analyses did not identify statistically significant moderation by gender, private counseling, or religious coping. One open-ended question provided supplementary insights, with students describing social media shifting from escapism into a constant reminder of the heart-wrenching situation. Theoretically, the findings expand stress and coping theory by showing how digital platforms reduce the barrier between threat detection and coping deployment during conflict. Practically, results highlight the potential relevance of digital-exposure management and media control initiatives, which should be evaluated prospectively in conflict-affected populations.