SOCIAL MEDIA BEHAVIOR AND STRESS LEVELS PREDICTORS OF SELF- ESTEEM AMONG YOUNG ADULTS

Abstract

Social media fever is like a virus that spreads fast and to unlimited areas around the globe. It is often seen as a way to connect and express us, but for young adults, it can also bring stress and make them feel bad about themselves. It's tempting because it gives instant validation and a sense of belonging, but seeing others' perfect lives can make them feel inadequate. The aim of the present study is to investigate the relationship between social media behavior, stress levels and self-esteem among young adults. For the present study a purposive sampling method was used. Total 122 young adults were selected for the present study in which 61 were male and 61 were female and the age group is between 18 to 25. This study used a quantitative research design for its investigation. The tools used for this study was Social Media Mindset Scale, Perceived Stress Scale and Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale. The Pearson Correlation, T- Test and Linear Regression tests were used. The results found that social media behavior has a complex relationship with the psychological well-being of young adults. It showed a negative correlation between social media use and stress levels, meaning higher social media activity is associated with lower stress. However, there's a positive correlation between social media use and self-esteem, indicating that more social media engagement is linked to higher self-esteem. Additionally, the study highlights gender differences, with women generally showing higher levels of social media activity, stress, and self-esteem compared to men. Overall, these findings emphasize the need for young adults to manage their social media usage carefully to protect their mental well-being.