Discussion
fits, addictive behavior
The aim of the current study was to investigate if social-networks use could be highlighted as adaptive or maladaptive coping strategy compared to non-digital coping strategies. We also hypothesized that stress recovery by using social networks was affected by the symptom severity of a problematic social-networks use. The results showed that using Facebook or reading magazines leads to significant reduction of previously induced stress in contrast to conditions without any form of distraction. Investigating the interaction of different stress-recovery strategies and symptom severity, in individuals suffering problematic use of social networks Facebook use did not result in lower stress perception compared to individuals with low symptom severity or non-digital strategies. The use of social networks can thus be declared as both an adaptive and maladaptive strategy, whereby it seems important to pay more attention to possible negative consequences due to problematic use.The results addressing stress recovery and Facebook use are, overall, in line with Rus and TiemensmaThe result that social-networks use can be a maladaptive stress-coping strategy for individuals with problematic usage is an important finding. It shows that stress experiences are considered a driving factor for problematic usage. This means that there could be a self-reinforcing effect in individuals with a tendency towards problematic social-networks use: Stress may foster the usage of social networks, but other than expected; the actual use may not decrease the level of stress, which may keep users using social networks even longer. This fits the theoretically argued vicious circle of the addiction process, for example in the I-PACE modelThe interplay of the different components in the addiction process has also implications for prevention and related maladaptive coping strategies. Keeping the reinforcement mechanisms proposed in the I-PACE model in mind, it seems to be important to address potential mechanisms when dealing with stress which could result in an addictive behavior. Maladaptive coping strategies and dysfunctional emotion regulation as well as using social networks for mood management have been shown to be risk factors of a problematic social-networks useHowever, some limitations should be considered. First of all, it seems to be worth to discuss Facebook and its usage:  In the current study, objective usage data of social networks have not been assessed, which could provide further insights into the general usage behavior. Moreover, participants were not allowed to choose their preferred social network. For some users, Facebook may not have been the social network they would normally use when experiencing negative emotions or stress. This could therefore be one reason why some of the reactions shown were correspondingly low. Nevertheless, similar mechanisms might be relevant to other social networks as well. In addition, the content of Facebook could have affected the stress recovery as well, for example when the participants are confronted with negative or even positive information or messages. Future studies should address the content when using social networks to include possible confounding effects