Aug 2026· Journal of Global Social Transformation· Vol 2, pp. 46-59· 0 citations· 41 references
Abstract
Social media's role in romantic relationships is becoming more significant, impacting ways of communicating with others, and posing new problems, such as digital jealousy and insecurity about commitment. The study revealed that digital jealousy is a psychological phenomenon which is playing a significant part in the relationships between SMI, Digital Jealousy (DJ) and Commitment Uncertainty (CU) among university students in Lahore, Pakistan. A quantitative cross sectional correlational design was used and 190 university students aged 18-25 who were active social media users and actively involved in a romantic relationship were used. The Social Media Index, Digital Jealousy Scale and Commitment Uncertainty Short Scale were completed by participants. The Pearson product–moment correlation, hierarchical multiple regression, independent-samples t-test, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), Tukey's HSD post hoc test and chi-square analysis were completed using IBM SPSS Statistics Version 26. The results showed that increased social media activity was significantly related to digital jealousy and self-directed commitment uncertainty. Digital jealousy was a strong predictor of self- and partner-directed commitment uncertainty. Moreover, when digital Jealousy was added to the model, the predictive effect of social media on self-directed commitment uncertainty was no longer significant, indicating that digital Jealousy can account for this relationship. There were no significant gender differences in digital jealousy, but the more often participants reported checking their partner's social media, the higher their digital jealousy scores were. The longer the relationship, the greater the association with partner-monitoring behaviour on social media was. The findings emphasize that digital jealousy is an important psychological mechanism that connects social media usage to uncertainty in relationships among emerging adults. The study helps to build the body of research on digital relationship dynamics and offers implications for relationship education and counselling practices to promote positive digital social media and romantic relationships.
Social media platforms provide fertile ground for the construction of digital identities and are used to manage affective experiences among young adults. Yet, in the Pakistani context, research has largely overlooked psychological effects related to how young adults navigate such experiences. Social media use intensity, digitally expressed identity, emotional coping strategies, social comparison, and self-esteem were examined in this survey-based quantitative study involving n = 265 undergraduate university students from Karachi, Pakistan. Data were collected via a Google-based survey using five-point Likert-scale items and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (1965), with reverse scoring applied to five inversely worded items. Cronbach's alpha values ranged from .725 to .899, indicating acceptable to good reliability. Pearson correlation and regression analyses showed that social comparison was the strongest direct correlate of self-esteem (r = -0.424) and a significant predictor of the outcome (R² = 0.180, p < .001). A Baron and Kenny mediation analysis, supported by a Sobel test, revealed an inconsistent mediation (suppression) effect: digital identity expression exerted a significant positive direct effect on self-esteem, while also significantly increasing social comparison, which in turn suppressed self-esteem (indirect effect = -0.197, Sobel z = -6.41, p < .001). Heavy social media users (more than 5 hours per day) reported comparatively higher social comparison and lower self-esteem scores. These findings suggest that young Pakistani social media users may experience less favorable psychological outcomes associated with intensive platform use, and recommend that educational institutions prioritize digital literacy and emotional wellbeing programs for university students.
This paper examines how digital technology influences adolescents’ social relationships, starting from the idea that online and offline spaces complement one another but may also generate tensions. Particular attention is given to Fear of Missing Out (FoMO), phubbing, and their relationship with social connectedness. The research was designed as a simulated descriptive study using a mixed-methods approach and a sample of 60 adolescents aged 15 to 18. The quantitative component included sociodemographic data, the Fear of Missing Out Scale, the Generic Scale of Phubbing, and the Social Connectedness Scale–Revised, while the qualitative component consisted of two focus groups. The simulated findings indicate a positive association between time spent using digital technology and FoMO, as well as negative associations between FoMO, phubbing, and offline social connectedness. The qualitative analysis reveals an ambivalent experience: technology maintains contact and facilitates support, but it also creates pressure to respond immediately, social comparison, and fragmented face-to-face conversations. The paper highlights the need for digital education focused not only on-screen time, but also on the quality of interactions and the relational norms of adolescent peer groups.
Sebastian Petrișor Scripcaru· Journal Plus Education· 0 citations
Given the mixed evidence regarding the association between social media use and well-being, this study examines the psychological processes associated with this relationship, focusing on social comparison, the Fear of Missing Out (FoMO), and the Joy of Missing Out (JoMO) as potential mediators. Drawn from Caplan’s (2003) Preference for Online Social Interaction (POSI) theory and grounded in Social Comparison Theory as an explanatory lens, we examine both maladaptive and adaptive psychological processes associated with social media engagement and well-being. In particular, we extend prior research dominated by the negative association of FoMO by also considering JoMO as a potential positive psychological response to digital disconnection. An online survey was administered to 707 social media users (57.6% women; MAge = 36.35, SD = 12.76, range = 18–84). The survey included measures of well-being, social comparison, social media engagement, FoMO, JoMO, and demographics. Using regression-based mediation analyses, we tested whether FoMO, JoMO, and social comparison account for the associations between social media engagement and well-being outcomes. Results showed that social media engagement was significantly associated with higher FoMO, higher social comparison, and lower JoMO. Social comparison was consistently and negatively associated with emotional, social, and psychological well-being, while JoMO was positively related to psychological well-being. Mediation analyses suggested indirect associations such that social comparison cross-sectionally mediated the relationship between social media engagement and all three dimensions of well-being. JoMO cross-sectionally mediated the relationship between social media engagement and psychological well-being. FoMO did not confer a significant mediating relationship in the present model. These findings highlight the central role of social comparison as a maladaptive correlate, and JoMO as a potential protective correlate, in understanding the complex associations between social media engagement and well-being.
Tali Gazit, T. Eitan, Jon D. Elhai· Current Psychology· 0 citations
This study investigates user correction, that is, challenging others who post misinformation on social media; communication styles (direct or indirect) when doing so; and the influence of relational, psychological, and competency factors on that. It specifically examines the influence of altruism, empathy, self-esteem, and social media use competency in two distinct cultural contexts: the United Kingdom (UK) and Arab Peninsula countries. We collected data from 686 participants (367 British and 319 Arabs) using an online survey supplemented with vignettes. The findings revealed an intention–behaviour gap in user correction in both cultural contexts. Participants in both groups preferred indirect communication. Multivariate Multiple Regression (MMR) analysis revealed that altruism and social media use competency predicted both the willingness and actual participation in user correction in both cultural groups, whereas self-esteem predicted them only in the UK context. Empathy showed no significant prediction in both cultural contexts. Further MMR analysis of communication style preferences considering the variations in gender similarity (different, same), social status (higher, lower, equal), and social distance (distant, close) between the participants and the misinformation posters showed that altruism predicted preference for direct and indirect styles across relational contexts in both samples, while self-esteem played a more prominent role in the UK sample. In the Arab sample, social media use competency predicted style preferences, particularly in different gender and social status variation contexts. These findings highlight the importance of considering the interplay between cultural, relational, and psychosocial factors when designing socio-technical interventions to promote user correction and combat the spread of misinformation.
Advances in digital technology and social media have transformed how Generation Z interacts, contributing to the emergence of Relationships Without Status, a romantic relationship characterized by emotional intimacy without formal commitment. This study aims to explore the meaning of Relationships Without Status among Generation Z in Cirebon, identify the emotional and social challenges they experience, and examine the influence of the local socio-cultural environment. A qualitative phenomenological approach was employed using in-depth interviews with five informants, supported by non-participant observation, documentation, and a literature review. Data were analyzed through transcript coding, data reduction, thematic interpretation, and narrative presentation. The findings indicate that Relationships Without Status provide emotional freedom and opportunities for self-discovery but also generate anxiety, uncertainty, overthinking, and social pressure due to the absence of commitment. In Cirebon, where religious and traditional values remain influential, these relationships reflect a negotiation between modern relationship practices and prevailing social norms, highlighting both emotional flexibility and psychological vulnerability among Generation Z.
