EMOTIONAL CONTAGION AND PERCEIVED BEHAVIORAL CONTROL ON SOCIAL MEDIA AMONG UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

Abstract

This research examines the relationship between emotional contagion and perceived behavioral control (PBC) in the context of social media use among university students. Emotional contagion is the tendency to adopt others' emotions, particularly through online platforms. Perceived behavioral control, a key component of the theory of planned behavior, reflects how much individuals believe they can perform a specific behavior. Using data from 100 university students collected via questionnaire, the study found a significant negative correlation between susceptibility to emotional contagion and perceived behavioral control. These findings highlight how emotionally charged content can impair users' ability to manage their social media interactions and suggest practical strategies for mental health professionals and educators to mitigate these effects. The study also explores implications for digital literacy programs and mental health education.