Degree

BS (Social Sciences & Liberal Arts)

Faculty / School

School of Economics and Social Sciences (SESS)

Department

Department of Social Sciences & Liberal Arts

Date of Award

Spring 2022

Date of Submission

2022-07-16

Advisor

Zainab Tariq, Lecturer, Department of Social Sciences

Committee

Zainab Tariq, Lecturer, Department of Social Sciences

Project Type

SSLA Culminating Experience

Access Type

Restricted Access

Abstract

The present study was designed to investigate the impact of social media (Instagram) usage on the self esteem and social anxiety of undergraduate students in light of the recent COVID-19 pandemic-induced lockdowns in Pakistan. A mixed methods study was conducted using convenience sampling. For data collection, an online survey (N=100) was used which consisted of the Social Media Use Integration scale, Rosenberg Self esteem scale, and the Alternative Social Anxiety Scale. The results revealed that social media usage negatively predicted self esteem and positively predicted social anxiety, however, none of these relationships were found to be significant. Further investigation through semi-structured interviews (N=7) revealed in-depth and comprehensive data to build upon the results. A thematic analysis highlighted mixed findings regarding the impact of social media in the post-lockdown situation. While some revealed it had helped them stay connected through the lockdown and thus they experienced less social anxiety and self-esteem issues upon resumption of in-person interactions, others reported having isolated themselves even more because of social media and were highly anxious and low on self-esteem when the lockdowns lifted. On the basis of the above results, it is concluded that specific interventions such as well-being programs be implemented in universities to create awareness regarding the dire impacts of social media usage on students.

Pages

69

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