DIGITAL MENTAL HEALTH, PSYCHOLOGICAL RESILIENCE, AND TECHNOLOGY-MEDIATED SOCIAL SUPPORT AMONG PAKISTANI YOUTH

Abstract

This study examined the relationships among technology-mediated social support, psychological resilience, and mental well-being among Pakistani youth. A quantitative, cross-sectional research design was employed, and data were collected from 400 Pakistani youth through a structured questionnaire using established measurement scales. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, reliability and validity assessment, and Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The findings indicated that technology-mediated social support significantly and positively influenced psychological resilience (β = 0.54, p < .001) and mental well-being (β = 0.21, p < .001). Psychological resilience also demonstrated a significant positive effect on mental well-being (β = 0.50, p < .001). Furthermore, psychological resilience significantly mediated the relationship between technology-mediated social support and mental well-being (indirect effect = 0.27, 95% CI [0.20, 0.35]). The findings suggest that digitally mediated social support may function as an important psychosocial resource by strengthening resilience and promoting mental well-being among Pakistani youth. The study contributes to digital mental-health research by integrating social support and resilience within a unified explanatory framework and provides practical implications for developing culturally appropriate digital mental-health interventions.