Arpacı, İbrahimKarataş, KasımKıran, FettahKuşci, İsmailTopcu, Ahmet2024-06-142024-06-142021-05-120748-1187https://doi.org/10.1080/07481187.2021.1923588https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/07481187.2021.1923588https://hdl.handle.net/11452/42199This study investigated the mediating role of positivity in the relationship between state anxiety and problematic social media use during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Positivity Scale, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale were used to collect data from 834 social media users. SEM-based mediation analysis was used to test hypothesized relationships. Results indicated that positivity has a direct negative effect on problematic social media use. Furthermore, the results indicated that state anxiety has a direct negative effect on positivity and state anxiety has a direct positive effect on problematic social media use. Positivity significantly mediates the relationship between state anxiety and problematic social media use.eninfo:eu-repo/semantics/closedAccessHealthSocial sciencesPsychology, multidisciplinarySocial issuesSocial sciences, biomedicalPsychologySocial issuesBiomedical social sciencesArticle00065047350000122872297461010.1080/07481187.2021.19235881091-7683