The influence of extrinsic vs intrinsic values on young adults use of social media on well-being

Bernard, Elese A.

Honours

2021

Butler, Stephen

Bachelor of Science

Faculty of Science. Honours in Psychology.

Psychology

Psychology

University of Prince Edward Island

Charlottetown, PE

In recent years there has been increasing concern about the relationship between young adult’s negative mental health and social media use. The aim of the current study was to look at the potential relationship between social media, endorsement of extrinsic or intrinsic values, social comparison orientation and life satisfaction among young adults. The study was conducted on a total of 131 undergraduate students. The data of the study were collected through the Aspiration Index, IOWA-Netherlands Show moreIn recent years there has been increasing concern about the relationship between young adult’s negative mental health and social media use. The aim of the current study was to look at the potential relationship between social media, endorsement of extrinsic or intrinsic values, social comparison orientation and life satisfaction among young adults. The study was conducted on a total of 131 undergraduate students. The data of the study were collected through the Aspiration Index, IOWA-Netherlands Comparison Orientation Measure, and Satisfaction with Life Scale. In the study, a linear multiple regression model was used to determine if extrinsic value endorsement, intrinsic value endorsement and social comparison orientation could predict the time the amount of time spent on social media. A second linear multiple regression used to determine whether time spent on social media, extrinsic value endorsement, intrinsic value endorsement and social comparison orientation could predict well-being. The findings of the study indicated that only extrinsic values predicted time spent on social media but only intrinsic values that predicted life satisfaction. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that endorsement of extrinsic values is related to large amount of time spent on social media, while endorsement intrinsic values is related to high life satisfaction in young adults. Show less

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