Cyberstalking and well-being: mediating and moderating roles of problematic social media use and use patterns

Göçet-Tekin, E, Taş, İ, Özsoy, E and Griffiths, MD ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8880-6524, 2026. Cyberstalking and well-being: mediating and moderating roles of problematic social media use and use patterns. Australian Psychologist. ISSN 0005-0067

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Abstract

Objective
The internet’s integration into daily life has reshaped interpersonal connections and exposed individuals to mental-health risks, including the growing psychosocial threat of cyberstalking. The present study investigated the relationship between cyberstalking, problematic social media use (PSMU), and general well-being, with a particular focus on the moderating roles of aimless internet browsing and the number of social media accounts.

Method
The sample comprised 421 individuals and data were collected using a survey comprising validated scales assessing the variables under investigation (i.e. Cyberstalking Scale, General Well-Being Scale, and Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale).

Results
The results showed that PSMU fully mediated the relationship between cyberstalking and general well-being. Aimless internet browsing significantly moderated the indirect effect, such that the indirect effect of cyberstalking on well-being through PSMU was stronger when aimless browsing was low, and weaker when aimless browsing was high. Moreover, the number of social media accounts moderated the relationship between aimless browsing and PSMU, enhancing the mediated effect of cyberstalking on well-being.

Conclusion
The findings indicate that the effects of cyberstalking on PSMU and well-being vary depending on levels of aimless browsing and the number of social media accounts. Higher levels of aimless browsing and greater numbers of social media accounts appeared to attenuate the indirect effect, suggesting a more complex compensatory or regulatory mechanism. The results provide valuable insights for developing interventions aimed at reducing the adverse psychological effects of cyberstalking and PSMU, particularly among individuals who engage in excessive or aimless internet use.

Item Type:	Journal article
Publication Title:	Australian Psychologist
Creators:	Göçet-Tekin, E., Taş, İ., Özsoy, E. and Griffiths, M.D.
Publisher:	Informa UK Limited
Date:	8 April 2026
ISSN:	0005-0067
Identifiers:	Number Type 10.1080/00050067.2026.2636263 DOI 2605097 Other
Rights:	This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in Australian Psychologist on 8 Apr 2026, available at: https://doi.org/10.1080/00050067.2026.2636263
Divisions:	Schools > School of Social Sciences
Record created by:	Melissa Cornwell
Date Added:	13 Apr 2026 09:55
Last Modified:	13 Apr 2026 09:55
URI:	https://irep.ntu.ac.uk/id/eprint/55540

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