Mediating Role of Satisfaction with Life in the Effect of Self-Esteem and Education on Social Media Addiction in Turkey

Abstract

The increasing use of social media due to various individual and social reasons may trigger some psycho-social issues. What can be effective in reducing social media addiction, which causes social and economic problems, is an important issue today. This study aimed to investigate the mediation effect of satisfaction with life in the impact of self-esteem and education level on social media addiction in individuals. The study was designed as cross-sectional, and the sample consists of 952 volunteers over the age of 15 using social media in Turkey. A personal information form, the Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, and the Satisfaction with Life Scale were used as data collection tools in the study. The data were analyzed with SPSS 23.0 Program and PROCESS macro plug-in. Demographic questions such as age, gender, and marriage were used as control variables. As a result of the research, it was determined that satisfaction with life had a mediation role in the effect of self-esteem and education level on social media addiction. Self-esteem and education level improved satisfaction with life, and increased satisfaction with life resulted in less social media addiction. These results demonstrate the importance of implementing specific practices based on self-esteem and education, especially for vulnerable groups, to minimize the problems that may arise with the excessive use of digital apps and social media.