THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SOCIAL MEDIA INTEGRATION AND SELF-ESTEEM AMONG SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN KLANG VALLEY

Preethi S Mahalingam

doi:10.32890/jps2026.29.7

Authors

Preethi S Mahalingam School of Applied Psychology, Social Work & Policy, Universiti Utara Malaysia, Malaysia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.32890/jps2026.29.7

Keywords:

Social media integration, self-esteem, adolescents, secondary school students, Malaysia

Abstract

Social media is an important part of adolescents’ daily lives and provides a context in which they evaluate themselves. This study examined the relationship between social media integration and self-esteem among secondary school students in Klang Valley, Malaysia. A quantitative, cross-sectional correlational design was used. The respondents were 150 students aged 13 to 17 years from one selected secondary school and were recruited through convenience sampling. Data were collected using a researcher-adapted social media integration questionnaire informed by the Social Media Use Integration Scale and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. Descriptive statistics, reliability analysis, and Pearson correlation analysis were conducted. The respondents obtained a mean social media integration score of 2.62 (SD = 0.78) and a mean self-esteem score of 2.92 (SD = 0.50). Social media integration had a significant negative relationship with self-esteem, r(148) = −0.40, p < .001. Respondents with higher social media integration scores tended to report lower self-esteem. Because the study involved one school and convenience sampling, the findings should be interpreted within the context of the present sample. The findings support further research on the psychological processes that may underlie this association among adolescents.

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Author Biography

Preethi S Mahalingam, School of Applied Psychology, Social Work & Policy, Universiti Utara Malaysia

Preethi A/P S Mahalingam is a postgraduate student in the Master of Science (Counselling) programme at the School of Applied Psychology, Social Work and Policy, Universiti Utara Malaysia. Her research focuses on social media usage and psychological well-being among adolescents.

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