Abstract

The present study aims to provide an integrated picture of the conceptual, methodological, and empirical patterns in the research literature on virtual social networks and well-being in Iran, and to identify the main trends and research gaps in this field. Conducted through a systematic review and qualitative content meta-synthesis approach, the study population comprised valid domestic Persian-language scientific-research articles that examined the relationship between social media and constructs related to well-being. Following a systematic search in reputable databases and the application of inclusion and exclusion criteria, 14 final articles were selected through a hierarchical screening process. The unit of analysis was the “article,” and data were analyzed using structured coding and intra-case and inter-case comparison methods. To ensure dependability and confirmability, Guba and Lincoln’s four trustworthiness criteria were applied. The findings indicate that most studies employed cross-sectional survey designs with a quantitative approach, relying on standardized or researcher-made questionnaires. Virtual social networks were mainly measured through indicators such as intensity and type of use and level of engagement, whereas the construct of well-being was operationalized as a cluster of multidimensional concepts. At the empirical level, three main patterns—enhancing, undermining, and conditional relationships between virtual social networks and well-being—were identified. The dominance of cross-sectional designs, predominantly urban samples, extensive reliance on self-report instruments, and limited attention to platform content, specific user groups, and longitudinal mechanisms emerged as key knowledge gaps, underscoring the need for longitudinal, qualitative, and mixed-methods studies and more precise conceptualization.