Can Self-Esteem Protect the Subjective Well-Being of Women in Their 20s from the Effects of Social Media Use? The Moderating Role of Self-Esteem

TL;DR

This study shows that high self-esteem can protect young South Korean women from the negative effects of social media on their well-being.

Contribution

The study introduces self-esteem as a key moderator in the relationship between social media use and subjective well-being in young women.

Findings

Higher social media use is associated with lower subjective well-being in women in their 20s.

Self-esteem moderates the negative impact of social media use on well-being.

Women with high self-esteem are less affected by social media use in terms of well-being.

Abstract

This study investigates the relationship between social media use and subjective well-being among South Korean women in their 20s, with a particular emphasis on the moderating role of self-esteem. Cross-sectional data from 611 women in their 20s who had experience using social media platforms was drawn from the Korean Media Panel Survey 2021. A regression analysis revealed that increased social media use was associated with lower subjective well-being. Self-esteem acted as a moderator in the relationship between social media use and subjective well-being. Among individuals with low or medium levels of self-esteem, higher social media use was linked to decreased subjective well-being; however, for those with high self-esteem, social media use did not significantly impact subjective well-being. These findings underscore the significance of self-esteem as a protective factor in the context of social media use and its influence on the subjective well-being among women in their 20s.

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