Exploring the Relationship between Social Media Addiction and loneliness among Young Adults: A Quantitative Analysis

Abstract

The widespread incorporation of social media platforms into the daily routines of young adults calls for a thorough comprehension of its influence on psychological well-being, specifically in relation to concepts such as loneliness. The present study employs a quantitative approach to investigate the complex association between addiction to social media and feelings of loneliness among young individuals. This investigation involves a thorough analysis that incorporates correlation and t-test approaches. Through an in-depth exploration of this association, the research endeavours to clarify the psychological ramifications associated with excessive utilization of social media platforms and its prospective impact on individuals’ experiences of loneliness. Participants between the ages of 18 and 25 were chosen via purposive sampling, taking into account particular criteria relating to their involvement with social media sites. The data collection devices employed in this study encompassed surveys, which provided valuable insights into the extent of participants’ social media addiction and their encounters with feelings of loneliness. The research included a sample size of 172 individuals, encompassing both males and females, and using known psychometric tools to assess the variables under investigation. Loneliness experiences were assessed using the De Jong Gierveld Scale, while the level of social media addiction was evaluated using the Internet Addiction Test by Dr. Kimberly Young. Furthermore, it is worth noting that there were significant gender disparities in the levels of loneliness, underscoring the necessity for additional investigation into individual variations in comprehending the correlation between addiction to social media and feelings of loneliness. This study adds to the growing corpus of scholarly work on the utilization of social media and its psychological consequences, offering valuable perspectives that can guide specific interventions designed to encourage healthy online behaviors among young adults.