The Ambivalent Link Between Adolescent Digital Consumer Media Exposure and Meaning in Life – A Dual Mediation Model via World Assumptions and Materialism
- May 8
- 2 min read
March 2026
Negative consequences of digital consumer media exposure (DCME) have attracted global attention, yet few studies have examined how it relates to adolescents’ meaning in life (AML) – a concept essential for healthy functioning and development. We propose, test, and largely support a novel dual mediation model linking DCME to AML through world assumptions (i.e., (1) self-worthiness with two beliefs in self-worth and luck, (2) world’s benevolence, and (3) meaningfulness with two beliefs in randomness and controllability), and materialism. Polish adolescents aged 15 to 19 (N = 679) filled in the World Assumptions Scale, the Aspiration Index, and answered questions about DCME (i.e., exposure to online advertising and e-commerce platforms) and AML. As predicted, the higher DCME, the higher self-worthiness (i.e., belief in personal luck) and world’s benevolence, and the increase in the latter two is associated with higher AML. However, contrary to expectations, the mediation effect of DCME on AML through self-worthiness (i.e., belief in self-worth) showed that as DCME increases, self-worthiness decreases. Also, unexpectedly, while controllability was not a significant mediator in DCME-AML relationship, randomness mediated DCME-AML. Simultaneously, the higher DCME, the higher the materialism, and the higher the materialism, the lower AML. These results suggest that while DCME may foster beliefs that individuals are fortunate and that the world is benevolent – supporting AML – it may simultaneously undermine self-worth and promote materialism, which can reduce a sense of meaning. The findings can usefully inform methods of helping youth build psychological immunity and use digital media to their advantage rather than disadvantage.
CITE
Zawadzka, A.M., Iwanowska, M. & Zawisza, M. The Ambivalent Link Between Adolescent Digital Consumer Media Exposure and Meaning in Life – A Dual Mediation Model via World Assumptions and Materialism. Curr Psychol 45, 669 (2026). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-025-08624-y
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