Navigating the relationship between social media use and mental health in the digital age.

Abstract

This study examines the impact of social media use on mental health among young adults through the lens of social comparison theory. Using a sample of 343 participants, data were collected via an online survey and analyzed with SPSS and SmartPLS. The results indicate that the direction of comparison, frequency of social comparison, nature of media content, and relevance of comparison significantly influence mental health outcomes. However, individual differences and comparison targets did not have significant effects. These findings suggest that social comparison behaviours on social media platforms can amplify negative mental health effects, emphasizing the importance of content type and frequency of engagement. The study extends social comparison theory by highlighting how digital interactions shape emotional well-being, particularly in a developing country context. The results provide practical recommendations for policymakers, mental health professionals, and social media platform designers to promote healthier online engagement. Future research should explore longitudinal effects, cross-platform variations, and cultural differences to provide a more comprehensive understanding of this relationship.