Algılanan Stres ve Sosyal Medya Bağımlılığı: Akış Yaşantılarının Aracı Rolü

Social media addiction is a problem that has been emphasized in recent years and experienced by university students. Researchers have carried out many studies to identify the antecedents of social media addiction and to reduce this addiction. However, the positive effect of flow experiences, characterized by focusing on and controlling the activity, is given a less place in reducing social media addiction. In this context, this research aims to determine the mediating role of flow experiences in the relationship between perceived stress and social media addiction. Participants comprised 542 university students (377 female, 165 male). The research used personal information form, Social Media Addiction Scale, Perceived Stress Scale, and Flow State Scale as data collection tools. Research findings show a positive relationship between perceived stress and social media addiction and a negative relationship between flow experiences. At the same time, results revealed a negative relationship between flow experiences and social media addiction. There is a mediating effect of flow experiences in the relationship between perceived stress and social media addiction. Research findings underline that the positive effect of streaming experiences is essential in reducing perceived stress’s impact on social media addiction.