Digital social multitasking (DSMT), digital stress, and socioemotional wellbeing among adolescents

Phone use during face-to-face interactions has become increasingly common in adolescents’ social lives, but the mechanisms through which behavior is associated with socioemotional wellbeing remain understudied. Drawing on frameworks of digital multitasking (DSMT) and stress, this study examined whether how three types stress (availability connection overload, fear missing out) mediated association between phone friendships (depressive symptoms friendship quality) among adolescents. A sample 517 adolescents (Mage = 14.83, SD 1.93) completed an online survey. Results showed that a friend (i.e., DSMT) had indirect relationship greater depressive all stress. It also better quality via out. The paths involving overload was moderated by seriousness interactions—in more serious interactions, DSMT symptoms, not quality; less quality, symptoms. Theoretical practical implications are discussed.