Research Project Part 1: Background Research and Hypothesis Development

Ghaya Alowais

Zayed University

IDS204 – 22055 Deriving Insights from Evidence

November 19th, 2023

The effects of social media use on life satisfaction (or productivity)

The integration of social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat has
transformed interpersonal engagement. These platforms offer opportunities to reconnect,
enhance connectivity, and access knowledge. However, intentional positive self-presentation
creates a disjunction between virtual personas and users' realities. Social media establishes
new online norms marked by opulent displays, embellished imagery, and the rise of
"influencers." The Social Comparison Theory posits self-evaluation through comparative
analysis. Balancing constructive facets and deleterious effects is crucial for a healthy online
environment. Understanding these effects empowers users to navigate platforms judiciously,
enhancing satisfaction and fortifying self-worth while mitigating adverse repercussions on
relationships and overall well-being.

Prior to the emergence of social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram, the abi
lity to experience envy toward individuals whom one had not visually encountered or been ex
posed to was seemingly non-existent, as suggested by Abdellatif et al. (2022). According to
Gilbert et al. (1995), upon receiving information about the updated life events of others throu
gh social media posts, users may inadvertently find themselves involved in the process of soc
ial [Link] quantifiable metrics of followers, likes, comments, and retweets generate
d across social media platforms present ubiquitous comparative data and readily accessible fe
edback. This information facilitates the rapid formulation of impressions by individuals
according to Jiang et al(2020). As stated by Tong et al.(2008),individuals frequently employ
social media as a means to assess their popularity by engaging in comparisons regarding the
quantity of comments, "likes," and images relative to their social circle on these [Link]
accordance with the findings posited by Wang et al.(2019), heightened instances of passive
engagement with social media were consistently correlated with escalated feelings of envy.
This envy, in turn, exhibited a positive association with heightened symptoms of depression
in individuals characterized by elevated levels of life satisfaction. Notably, the correlation
between social media utilization and the propensity for negative social comparisons
demonstrated a diminished strength within cohorts of individuals expressing higher levels of
life [Link] elucidated by Kabasakal et al.(2015), an escalation in problematic Internet
usage among university students was observed to correspond with a diminution in their levels
of life satisfaction.

While existing research has extensively explored the impact of social media on life sat
isfaction, concentrating on theories such as social comparison and self-esteem, notable gaps r
emain. Unanswered questions pertain to specific behaviors and types of social media platfor
ms influencing life satisfaction. Further study is necessary to examine the nuanced effects of
diverse social media usage patterns and to uncover potential advantages. Understanding uniq
ue individual traits and stress coping mechanisms would contribute to a more comprehensive
comprehension, facilitating the formulation of strategies to maintain a harmonious balance be
tween online and offline activities.
Hypothesis and proposal

(a) Hypothesis:
Increased social media use correlates with decreased life satisfaction.

Variables:
- Independent Variable: Time on social media
- Dependent Variable: Life satisfaction

Rationale:
Rooted in consistent findings, such as Wang et al.'s (2019) research, the hypothesis
links heightened social media use to negative psychological outcomes. Increased exposure is
associated with elevated envy levels, contributing to diminished life satisfaction. Social
Comparison Theory Festingeret al.(1954) underscores individuals' tendency to assess
themselves through comparisons, impacting subjective well-being negatively. The hypothesis
is supported by established theories and empirical evidence, providing a credible foundation
for exploration in the relationship between social media use and life satisfaction.
(b) The hypothesis positing a correlation between increased social media use and decreased
life satisfaction is plausible based on several factors. It adheres to the principle of parsimony
by proposing a straightforward relationship between variables. The specificity of the
hypothesis, focusing on time spent on social media and its impact on life satisfaction, makes
it testable and applicable to various contexts. Additionally, the generalizability is notable, as
the prevalence of social media use allows for potential broader applicability. This hypothesis
aligns with existing research, demonstrating its credibility and providing a solid foundation
for investigation into the complex interplay between social media engagement and subjective
well-being.

(c) The testability of the hypothesis using survey methodology involves employing
established scales. Social media use intensity will be measured using Ellison et al.'s(2007)
scale,Cronbach's alpha, assessing the frequency and duration of use. Life satisfaction will be
gauged through the Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS) [2], validated by Diener et al.
(1985). The SWLS is known for cross-age suitability. In data collection, a survey will be
administered. Participants will provide informed consent, ensuring ethical standards.
Collected responses will be anonymized to preserve confidentiality, adhering to observational
study design principles.

(d) The future survey will target individuals actively engaging in social media across diverse
age groups. Recognizing the ubiquitous nature of social media use, the study will seek a
broad and representative sample. Snowball sampling by Goodman et al.(1961) will be chosen
to address the challenges of accessing a comprehensive list of social media users. This
method will leverage existing connections, enabling participants to refer others, ensuring a
diverse and expansive sample in the future study. An online questionnaire will be employed,
aligning with the study's nature and catering to the digital context of social media usage. This
approach will enhance accessibility, facilitating the collection of pertinent data for a robust
future analysis.
 References

Abdellatif, M. (2022). The Impact of Social Media on Life Satisfaction: The

Gilbert, D. T., Giesler, R. B., & Morris, K. A. (1995). When comparisons

Jiang, S., & Ngien, A. (2020). The effects of Instagram use, social comparison, and
self-esteem on social anxiety: A survey study in Singapore. Social Media+ Society, 6(2),
2056305120912488.

Tong, S. T., Van Der Heide, B., Langwell, L., & Walther, J. B. (2008). Too much of a
good thing? The relationship between number of friends and interpersonal impressions on
Facebook. Journal of computer-mediated communication, 13(3), 531-549.

Wang, H. Z., Yang, T. T., Gaskin, J., & Wang, J. L. (2019). The longitudinal
association between passive social networking site usage and depressive symptoms: The
mediating role of envy and moderating role of life satisfaction. Journal of Social and Clinical
Psychology, 38(3), 181-199.

Kabasakal, Z. (2015). Life satisfaction and family functions as-predictors of

Festinger, L. (1954). A theory of social comparison processes. Human relations, 7(2),

Ellison, N. B., Steinfield, C., & Lampe, C. (2007). The benefits of Facebook
“friends:” Social capital and college students’ use of online social network sites. Journal of
computer‐mediated communication, 12(4), 1143-1168.

Diener, E. D., Emmons, R. A., Larsen, R. J., & Griffin, S. (1985). The satisfaction
with life scale. Journal of personality assessment, 49(1), 71-75.

Goodman, L. A. (1961). Snowball sampling. The annals of mathematical statistics,