SOCIAL MEDIA USAGE AND PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL-BEING AMONG YOUTH: THE MODERATING ROLE OF PERCEIVED SOCIAL SUPPORT IN PAKISTAN

Abstract

The pervasive use of social media has transformed communication and social interaction patterns among youth, with potential implications for psychological well-being. This study investigates the relationship between social media usage and psychological well-being among Pakistani youth, examining the moderating role of perceived social support. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 1,245 participants aged 18–30 years across major urban centers in Pakistan, including Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, and Peshawar. Standardized instruments were employed: the Social Media Use Integration Scale (SMUIS) to assess usage patterns, the Psychological Well-Being Scale (PWBS) to measure mental health outcomes, and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) to evaluate social support levels. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, hierarchical regression, and moderation analysis using PROCESS macro in SPSS. Results indicate that excessive social media usage is negatively associated with psychological well-being (r = –0.32, p < 0.01), particularly in the domains of self-acceptance and autonomy. Importantly, perceived social support significantly moderated this relationship (interaction β = 0.18, p < 0.01), attenuating the adverse effects of high social media usage on mental health outcomes. Youth reporting higher levels of family, peer, and community support exhibited greater resilience, maintaining higher psychological well-being despite intensive social media engagement. The findings highlight the critical role of social support networks in mitigating potential psychological risks associated with social media use, emphasizing culturally sensitive interventions for youth mental health promotion in Pakistan. Policy implications include developing awareness programs, digital literacy training, and community support initiatives to foster balanced social media engagement while enhancing psychological resilience.