International Association of Educators   |  ISSN: 2834-7919   |  e-ISSN: 1554-5210

Original article | International Journal of Progressive Education 2024, Vol. 20(3) 26-37

The Mediating Role of Cognitive Flexibility in the Relationship Between Social Media Addiction and Mental Well-Being in Young Adults

Ali Çekiç, Türkan Ayhan Öz, Ümmügülsüm Yılmaz & Ali Yıldırım

pp. 26 - 37   |  DOI: https://doi.org/10.29329/ijpe.2024.664.3   |  Manu. Number: MANU-2308-23-0001

Published online: June 01, 2024  |   Number of Views: 54  |  Number of Download: 301


Abstract

The current research aimed to investigate the mediating role of cognitive flexibility in the relationship between young adults' social media usage habits and their mental health. The data were obtained from 338 university students, 246 of whom were female and 92 were male. The participants’ mean age was 22. The study data were collected face-to-face with the paper-pencil method in the 2021-2022 fall semester. The obtained data were analyzed with IBM SPSS and IBM AMOS V24 software. The compatibility of the data with the normal distribution was examined with the assumption of multiple normality. To test whether cognitive flexibility has a mediating role in the correlation between social media addiction and mental well-being, an analysis was conducted based on the bootstrap method. As a result of the bootstrap analysis, the indirect impact of social media addiction on mental well-being through the mediation of cognitive flexibility was revealed to be statistically significant (β=-0.142; 95% CI [-0.256; -0.031]). The fit indices of the model were determined as CMNI/df =2.12, GFI=0.878, AGFI=0.853, IFI=0.873, TLI=0.856, CFI=0.871, and RMSE=0.058. In this respect, it can be said that increasing the cognitive flexibility of individuals will play an important role in both preventing social media addiction and increasing mental well-being. In line with the study results, it can be said that increasing the mental well-being of young adults and providing cognitive flexibility skills in their struggle with social media addiction will contribute positively to the process. Furthermore, providing individuals with cognitive flexibility skills at the early stages of development with preventive interventions may be effective in maintaining mental well-being that decreases with problems such as social media addiction.

Keywords: Young Adults, Social Media Addiction, Cognitive Flexibility, Mental Well-Being, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy


How to Cite this Article?

APA 6th edition
Cekic, A., Oz, T.A., Yilmaz, U. & Yildirim, A. (2024). The Mediating Role of Cognitive Flexibility in the Relationship Between Social Media Addiction and Mental Well-Being in Young Adults . International Journal of Progressive Education, 20(3), 26-37. doi: 10.29329/ijpe.2024.664.3

Harvard
Cekic, A., Oz, T., Yilmaz, U. and Yildirim, A. (2024). The Mediating Role of Cognitive Flexibility in the Relationship Between Social Media Addiction and Mental Well-Being in Young Adults . International Journal of Progressive Education, 20(3), pp. 26-37.

Chicago 16th edition
Cekic, Ali, Turkan Ayhan Oz, Ummugulsum Yilmaz and Ali Yildirim (2024). "The Mediating Role of Cognitive Flexibility in the Relationship Between Social Media Addiction and Mental Well-Being in Young Adults ". International Journal of Progressive Education 20 (3):26-37. doi:10.29329/ijpe.2024.664.3.

References
  1. Albay-Alyüz, S. B. (2020). Sosyal Desteğin Birey Yaşamında Önemi ve Sosyal Hizmet [The Importance of Social Support in the Life of Individuals and Social Work]. Talim, 4 (1), 115-134. https://doi.org/10.37344/talim.2020.4 [Google Scholar] [Crossref] 
  2. Al-Samarraie, H., Bello, K.-A., Alzahrani, A.I., Smith, A.P. and Emele, C. (2021). Young users' social media addiction: causes, consequences and prevention. Information Technology & People, Vol. ahead-of-print No. ahead-of-print. https://doi.org/10.1108/ITP-11-2020-0753 [Google Scholar] [Crossref] 
  3. Ateş, B. and Sağar, M. E. (2021). Üniversite öğrencilerinde bilişsel esneklik ve duygu düzenleme becerilerinin internet bağımlılığı üzerindeki yordayıcı rolü [The predictive role of cognitive flexibility and emotion-regulation skills on internet addiction in university students]. Uşak Üniversitesi Eğitim Araştırmaları Dergisi, 7(1), 87-102. https://doi.org/10.29065/usakead.887799 [Google Scholar] [Crossref] 
  4. Bilgin, M. (2009). Bilişsel esnekliği yordayan bazı değişkenler [Some variables predicting cognitive flexibility]. Çukurova Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi, 3(36), 142-157. [Google Scholar]
  5. Brier, A. & Strauss, J. S. (1984). The role of social relationships in the recovery from psychotic disorders, Am J Psychiatry 141: 8. https://doi.org/10.1176/ajp.141.8.949 [Google Scholar] [Crossref] 
  6. Büyüköztürk, Ş., Kılıç-Çakmak, E., Akgün, Ö. E., Karadeniz, Ş. and Demirel, F. (2012). Bilimsel Araştırma Yöntemleri [Scientific Research Methods (Improved 11th Edition)], Pegem Yayınları, Ankara. [Google Scholar]
  7. Canas, J., Quesada, J., Antolí, A., & Fajardo, I. (2003). Cognitive flexibility and adaptability to environmental changes in dynamic complex problem-solving tasks. Ergonomics, 46(5), 482– 501. https://doi.org/10.1080/0014013031000061640 [Google Scholar] [Crossref] 
  8. Cheng, C. & Yee-lam, A. (2014). Internet addiction prevalence and Quality of (real) life: a meta-analysis of 31 nations across seven world regions. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking. 17(12). 755-760. http://doi.org/10.1089/cyber.2014.0317 [Google Scholar]
  9. Corey, G. (2008). Psikolojik danışma psikoterapi kuram ve uygulamaları [Psychological counseling, psychotherapy theories and practices]. (T. Ergene, Transl.).  Ankara: Mentis Yayınları. [Google Scholar]
  10. Coyne, S. M., Rogers, A. A., Zurcher, J. D., Stockdale, L., & Booth, M. (2019). Does time spent using social media impact mental health?: An eight year longitudinal study.  Computers in Human Behavior, 106160. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2019.106160 [Google Scholar] [Crossref] 
  11. Çelikkaleli, Ö. (2014). Bilişsel Esneklik Ölçeği’nin geçerlik ve güvenirliği [The Validity and reliability of the Cognitive Flexibility Scale]. Eğitim ve Bilim, 39(176). http://dx.doi.org/10.15390/EB.2014.3466 [Google Scholar]
  12. Demirci, İ. (2019). Bergen Sosyal Medya Bağımlılığı Ölçeğinin Türkçe’ye uyarlanması, depresyon ve anksiyete belirtileriyle ilişkisinin değerlendirilmesi [Adaptation of the Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale to Turkish and evaluation of its relationship with depression and anxiety symptoms]. Anadolu Psikiyatri Dergisi, 20, 15-22. doi: 10.5455/apd.41585 [Google Scholar] [Crossref] 
  13. Demirtaş, A. S. and Baytemir, K. (2019). Warwick-edinburgh mental iyi oluş ölçeği kısa formunun Türkçe’ye uyarlanması: geçerlik ve güvenirlik çalışması [Adaptation of Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale short form into Turkish: validity and reliability study]. Elektronik sosyal Bilimler Dergisi 18(70), 689-701. https://doi.org/10.17755/esosder.432708 [Google Scholar] [Crossref] 
  14. Durak-Batıgün, A. and Kılıç, N. (2011). İnternet bağımlılığı: Kişilik özellikleri, psikolojik belirtiler, sosyal destek ve ilişkili bazı sosyo-demografik değişkenler arasındaki ilişkiler [Internet addiction: Relationships between personality traits, psychological symptoms, social support, and some related socio-demographic variables]. Türk Psikoloji Dergisi, 26 (67), 1-10. [Google Scholar]
  15. Gürbüz, S. (2019). Amos ile yapısal eşitlik modellemesi [Structural equation modeling with Amos]. Ankara: Seçkin Yayıncılık.  [Google Scholar]
  16. Hardy, B. W., & Castonguay, J. (2018). The moderating role of age in the relationship between social media use and mental well-being: An analysis of the 2016 General Social Survey.  282-290. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2018.04.005 [Google Scholar] [Crossref] 
  17. Kashdan, T. B., & Rottenberg, J  (2010). Psychological flexibility as a fundamental aspect of health. Clinical Psychology Review. 30(7), 865-878.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2010.03.001 [Google Scholar] [Crossref] 
  18. Keyes, C. L. (2002). The mental health continuum: From languishing to flourishing in life.  Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 43(2), 207–222. https://doi.org/10.2307/3090197 [Google Scholar] [Crossref] 
  19. Koesten, J., Schrodt, P., & Ford, D. J. (2009). Cognitive flexibility as a mediator of family communication environments and young adults’ well-being. Health Communication, 24(1), 82-94. https://doi.org/10.1080/10410230802607024 [Google Scholar] [Crossref] 
  20. Lazarus, R. S. (1993). Coping theory and research: Past, present, and future. Psychosomatic Medicine,55(3), 234–247. https://doi.org/10.1097/00006842-199305000-00002 [Google Scholar] [Crossref] 
  21. MacDonald, G., & Leary, M. R. (2005). Why Does Social Exclusion Hurt? The Relationship Between Social and Physical Pain. Psychological Bulletin, 131(2), 202–223. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.131.2.202 [Google Scholar] [Crossref] 
  22. Marino, C., Finos, L., Vieno, A., Lenzi, M., & Spada, M. M. (2017). Objective Facebook behaviour: Differences between problematic and non-problematic users. Computers in Human Behavior, 73, 541–546. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2017.04.015 [Google Scholar] [Crossref] 
  23. Martin, M. M. and Anderson, C. M. (1998). The cognitive flexibility scale: Three validity studies. Communication Reports, 11(1), 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1080/08934219809367680 [Google Scholar] [Crossref] 
  24. Martin, M. M., & Rubin, R. B. (1995). A new measure of cognitive flexibility. Psychological Reports,76(2), 623–626. https://doi.org/10.2466/pr0.1995.76.2.623 [Google Scholar] [Crossref] 
  25. Muyan-Yılık, M. & Demir. A. (2020). A Pathway Towards Subjective Well-Being for Turkish University Students: The Roles of Dispositional Hope, Cognitive Flexibility, and Coping Strategies. Journal of Happiness Studies 21(6), 1945–1963 https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10902-019-00162-2 [Google Scholar]
  26. O’reilly, M., Dogra, N., Whiteman, N., Hughes, J., Eruyar, S., & Reilly, P. (2018). Is social media bad for mental health and wellbeing? Exploring the perspectives of adolescents. Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 23(4), 601-613. https://doi.org/10.1177/13591045187751 [Google Scholar] [Crossref] 
  27. Özdemir, A. (2021). Genç Yetişkinlerin Benlik Saygısı ve Psikolojik İyi Oluş Düzeylerinin Sosyal Medya Bağımlılığı Üzerindeki Etkisi, (Yayımlanmamış yüksek lisans tezi) [The Effect of Self-Esteem and Psychological Well-Being Levels of Young Adults on Social Media Addiction, (Unpublished master's thesis)] Ufuk Üniversitesi, Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü. [Google Scholar]
  28. Peker, A. and Çukadar, F. (2016). Bilişsel esneklik ile sosyal medyayı kullanmaya yönelik tutum arasındaki ilişkinin incelenmesi [Examination of relationship between cognitive flexibility and attitudes towards the use of social media]. Sakarya University Journal of Education, 6(2), 66-79. http://dx.doi.org/10.19126/suje.03104 [Google Scholar]
  29. Rasmussen E.E., Punyanunt-Carter, N., LaFreniere, J. R., Norman M.S., & Kimball T.G., (2020). The serially mediated relationship between emerging adults’ social media use and mental well-being, Computers in Human Behavior, 102, 206-213. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2019.08.019 [Google Scholar] [Crossref] 
  30. Riggio, R. E., Watring, K. P. & Throckmorton, B. (1993). Social skills, social support, and psychosocial adjustment, Personality and Individual Differences,15 (3). 275-280. https://doi.org/10.1016/0191-8869(93)90217-Q [Google Scholar] [Crossref] 
  31. Ryan, T., Chester, A., Reece, J., & Xenos, S. (2014). The uses and abuses of Facebook: A review of Facebook addiction. Journal of Behavioral Addictions, 3(3), 133–148. https://doi.org/10.1556/JBA.3.2014.016 [Google Scholar] [Crossref] 
  32. Sharma, M. K., John, N., & Sahu, M. (2020). Influence of social media on mental health: a systematic review. Current Opinion in Psychiatry 33(5), 467-475. doi:10.1097/YCO.0000000000000631. [Google Scholar] [Crossref] 
  33. Sun, Y.,  &  Zhang, Y. (2021). A review of theories and models applied in studies of social media addiction and implications for future research. Addictive Behaviors, 114, 106699. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2020.106699 [Google Scholar] [Crossref] 
  34. Şenyiğit, A., & Kıran, B. (2019). Investigation of problematic internet use according to cognitive flexibility levels of high school students. International Journal of Eurasia Social Sciences,10(35), 367-384. [Google Scholar]
  35. Umberson, D. & Karas Montez,  J. (2010) Social Relationships and Health: A Flashpoint for Health Policy. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 51(1), 54-66. https://doi.org/10.1177/00221465103835 [Google Scholar] [Crossref] 
  36. Yılmaz, F. (2020). Genç Yetişkinlik [Young Adulthood]. Seydi Ahmet Satıcı (Ed.), In Gelişim Psikolojisi. Ankara: Nobel Akademik Yayıncılık. [Google Scholar]
  37. Zhao, L. (2021). The impact of social media use types and social media addiction on subjective well-being of college students: A comparative analysis of addicted and non-addicted students, Computers in Human Behavior Reports Vol. 4. 100122 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chbr.2021.100122 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]