Linking Family Dynamics, Social Media Use, and Maladaptive Coping in Emerging Adults: A University- Based Correlational Study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.69569/jip.2024.0643Keywords:
Family functioning, Maladaptive coping, Social media useAbstract
Emerging adults are expected to contend with numerous stressors brought about by the transition from adolescence to full-fledged adulthood. This predisposes them to resort to several coping mechanisms, which is influenced by their family dynamics and social media use (SMU). This study investigated the relationship between emerging adults’ general family functioning, social media use, and maladaptive coping. This study utilized a cross-sectional design that collected data from 725 emerging adults aged 18-25 years old from a university in Quezon City, Philippines. The participants answered a questionnaire integrating the Family Functioning Device, Self-Report Measures Assessing SMU, and the BRIEF-COPE. The relationships between the variables were assessed by conducting correlational and regression analyses. The results of this study showed that there was no significant correlation between family functioning and SMU (p = 0.775). Alternatively, lower levels of general family functioning is significantly correlated with higher levels of maladaptive coping behaviors (p < 0.049). Increased SMU was also associated with maladaptive coping (p < 0.000). The regression analysis revealed that both SMU (b = 0.1205, p < .001) and family functioning (b = 0.0505, p = .042) predicted maladaptive coping (R2 = .057, F (2, 722) = 22.2, p < .001). While findings imply that there is no direct correlation between general family functioning and social media use, family functioning is still a key factor in emerging adults’ coping. Therefore, the negative effects of excessive social media use can be diminished by incorporating interventions tailored to improve family functioning.
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