INVESTIGATION OF THE PREDICTION LEVEL OF PSYCHOLOGICAL SYMPTOMS RELATED TO SOCIAL MEDIA ADDICTION

Abstract

The aim of this study is to reveal the predictive levels of psychological symptoms of social media addiction in adults. The study was conducted among adults living in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). The sample of the study consisted of 514 adult individuals, 63% (n=324) female and 37% (n=190) male, selected according to the convenience sampling method. In this study, Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI), Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale (BSMAS) and socio-demographic information form were used to collect data. Frequency distribution, percentage calculation, ANOVA, correlation test and regression analysis were performed using SPSS software. As a result, a statistically significant difference was found in the level of social media addiction according to the duration of daily use of social media. A statistically significant difference was found in the level of social media addiction according to the time of using social media. A moderate statistically significant positive correlation was found between social media addiction and psychological symptom subscales. Depression and anger/aggression among psychological symptoms were found to be significant predictors of social media addiction. The results of the research were discussed in the context of the relevant literature and then suggestions were made for future studies.