Social media addiction and its relationship with feelings of alienation and cognitive distortions among youth in Jordan

Introduction. Social media has evolved over the past decade into one of the most engaging forms of online activity, experiencing exponential growth in the number of users. However, this surge can lead to negative psychosocial consequences for participants in network interactions.

Aim. The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between social media addiction, psychological alienation, and cognitive distortion among youth in Jordan.

Methodology and research methods. The study involved 784 young individuals aged 18 to 35 years. Scales measuring cognitive bias, social media dependence, and psychological alienation were developed for data collection.

Results. The results indicated a positive correlation between social media addiction, psychological alienation, and cognitive distortion. Young individuals were found to experience higher levels of psychological alienation compared to older participants in the study. Furthermore, unmarried and divorced individuals exhibited greater levels of cognitive distortion, social media dependence, and psychological alienation than their married counterparts.

Scientific novelty. The scientific novelty of this study lies in examining the relationships among three key psychological factors – social media addiction, psychological alienation, and cognitive biases – among youth in Jordan. Previous studies have analysed the impact of these forms of social media addiction in isolation.

Practical significance. Programmes designed to optimise social media use, reduce social isolation, and enhance cognitive flexibility can help mitigate the detrimental effects of excessive internet use. The findings of this study may inform the development of counselling and prevention programmes tailored to specific demographic groups that are at an increased risk.

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