Exploring the Role of Social Media Use in Developing Narcissism among Gen-Z Undergraduate Students

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between social media use and narcissism among Gen Z. In this study, a quantitative research method was adopted, and 213 students at Government College University were selected through a convenient Sampling technique. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data, in which the intensity of social media use and the level of narcissism were measured on a 5-point Likert scale. The collected data were analyzed by SPSS software, which included descriptive statistics and regression analysis. The regression results showed that social media use is a key factor predicting narcissism. This research indicates that social media can have a significant impact on the psychological attitudes of young people, especially on self-esteem and self-fulfilling tendencies. However, considering the limitations of the research, more extensive and diverse samples need to be investigated to better understand the relationship. The findings have important practical and theoretical implications for academia, psychologists, and policymakers.