Problem:
Title: Examining the Effects of Problematic Social Media Usage on Emotional Regulation, Self-Esteem, and Anxiety among Caribbean Young Adults
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Hypotheses:
This study aims to understand how excessive use of social media affects the emotional and psychological well-being of young adults in the Caribbean. It is expected that individuals who spend a lot of time online will experience more emotional difficulties and lower self-esteem, which may increase their levels of anxiety. Need Assignment Help?
The specific assumptions are:
Young adults who show problematic patterns of social media use will have more difficulty managing their emotions.
Higher problematic social media use will relate to lower self-esteem.
Those with greater social media dependence will experience higher anxiety.
Emotional regulation problems may help explain the connection between problematic use and anxiety.
Self-esteem could influence how strongly problematic social media use affects anxiety, with low self-esteem possibly making the relationship stronger.
Methodology:
A quantitative, cross-sectional, correlational survey approach will be used to explore the relationships among social media habits, emotional regulation, self-esteem, and anxiety. This method is suitable since it allows the collection of information from a large number of people within a short period. It provides insight into how variables interact in everyday settings without changing or controlling the environment. Using an online survey will make it easier to reach participants from different Caribbean regions while keeping the process organized and efficient.
Research Design and Justification
The study will use a correlational survey design, which focuses on identifying connections between psychological and behavioral traits. This approach fits well with the purpose of the research since it examines how problematic social media use relates to emotions and self-perception without requiring experimental manipulation. It is a practical choice because it allows the researcher to explore naturally occurring relationships while accommodating participants from different islands, making it cost-effective and manageable.
Sample Selection:
The participants will include Caribbean young adults aged 18 to 30 who actively use social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, or X. Recruitment will take place through online youth groups, community pages, and university networks. Convenience sampling will be used, which makes participation easier for volunteers and ensures access to a wide audience within the target age group. The study aims to gather 200 to 300 valid responses, providing a reliable sample size for statistical testing and meaningful analysis.
Data Collection Technique:
Data will be gathered through an online survey created using a secure platform such as Google Forms or Qualtrics. The form will include a short introduction explaining the purpose, procedures, and voluntary nature of participation. After giving consent, participants will answer a set of standardized questions measuring their social media habits, emotional regulation, self-esteem, and anxiety levels. The survey is expected to take about fifteen minutes to complete. Responses will be kept confidential, and no identifying information will be required.
Measures:
The survey will include well-established instruments to ensure reliability:
Problematic Social Media Use: Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale (BSMAS) will be used to assess addictive social media behaviors.
Emotional Regulation: Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS-16) will measure how well participants manage emotional experiences.
Self-Esteem: Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES) will evaluate personal self-worth and confidence.
Anxiety: Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7) will assess the presence and intensity of anxiety symptoms.
Ethical Considerations:
All participants will receive a detailed consent form outlining the purpose, risks, and rights of withdrawal. Participation will remain anonymous, and data will only be used for academic purposes. No identifying information will be collected, ensuring privacy and confidentiality. The study will comply with institutional research ethics guidelines and will avoid any questions that may cause discomfort or harm. Participants will also have access to support contacts should they experience any distress while completing the survey.
Proposed choice of Statistical Tests:
Data will be analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). Pearson's correlation will determine the relationships between problematic social media use, emotional regulation, self-esteem, and anxiety. Multiple regression analysis will test predictive relationships, identifying which variables significantly influence anxiety. To examine indirect effects, a mediation analysis will be used for emotional regulation, while a moderation analysis will test self-esteem as a potential buffering factor. A significance level of 0.05 will guide interpretation of all results.