Determining the Effects of Social Media Addiction on Empathy and Sympathy Levels in Adolescents

Hakan Avan

doi:10.5281/zenodo.22901323

Authors

Hakan Avan Kahramanmaraş Sütçü İmam Üniversitesi https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2494-3671

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.22901323

Keywords:

Adolescent, Social media, Empathy, Sympathy, Nurse

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to investigate the associations between social media addiction and adolescents’ empathy and sympathy levels and to explore the factors related to these associations.

Material and Method: This cross-sectional and descriptive study was conducted between April 1 and May 15, 2024, with a population consisting of adolescents aged 14-18 in a provincial center located. in Turkey's Mediterranean region. İt was developed using the snowball sampling method via an online data collection form consisting of a consent form, survey questions, and scales. This form was sent to adolescent social media groups, and their responses were requested. Parametric analyses, including t-tests, ANOVA, and multivariate regression analysis, were used to evaluate the data.

Results: Among the 633 adolescents included in the study, hierarchical regression analysis demonstrated that, after controlling for age, gender, family type, and family income, higher After adjustment for demographic variables, only sympathy remained independently associated with social media addiction (β=0.887, p<0.001). İn addition, it was found that levels of cognitive empathy differed significantly by gender, while family-related characteristics were associated with social media addiction and levels of empathy.

Conclusions: These findings suggest that excessive social media use is associated with adolescents' socio-emotional development, with higher levels of social media use being related to lower cognitive and emotional empathy and higher sympathy levels. Family relationships and gender also appear to play important roles in these associations. Therefore, interventions promoting healthy social media use and empathy development should incorporate both individual- and family-focused approaches.

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