Psychological triggers and behavioral mechanisms of relapse in social media addiction

Abstract

Social media addiction relapse, a growing concern within the realm of social psychology, remains an underexplored topic despite its increasing prevalence in modern society. This study delves into the emotional and cognitive mechanisms underpinning relapse, utilizing the Stimulus-Organism-Response (S-O-R) framework to investigate how instant gratification, perceived irreplaceability, separation anxiety, and fear of missing out (FOMO) act as triggers for relapse through both approach and avoidance urges. Drawing on theories of self-regulation failure and compulsive behavior, an online survey conducted with 273 individuals who experienced relapse shows that these factors significantly explain variation in relapse behavior, with strong statistical support for the proposed model. By integrating media effects, emotional responses, and behavioral relapse within the framework of applied social psychology, this research contributes to the understanding of technology addiction in the context of a hyperconnected society. The findings offer valuable insights for developing interventions aimed at fostering healthier digital behaviors and mitigating the adverse effects of excessive media consumption, particularly in relation to relapse.