The Relationship Between Continuous Social Media Use and Working Memory Performance and Mindfulness in Young Adults
Keywords:
Social Media, Working Memory, Mindfulness, Problematic Use, Young AdultsAbstract
The present study aimed to examine the relationship between continuous social media use and working memory performance and mindfulness in young adults. In terms of purpose, this study was applied research, and in terms of methodology, it employed a descriptive-correlational and cross-sectional design. The statistical population consisted of active social media users aged 18 to 30 years, and 384 participants were included in the study based on Cochran’s formula and according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data were collected using the n-back task to assess working memory, the Kentucky Inventory of Mindfulness Skills, and a researcher-developed questionnaire on continuous social media use. The reliability of the researcher-developed questionnaire was acceptable, with a Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of .73. Data were analyzed using SPSS software and Pearson correlation tests. The findings indicated that the intensity and volume of social media use had a significant negative relationship with working memory (r = −0.40, p < .001) and mindfulness (r = −0.27, p < .001). Patterns of use and type of activity also showed negative relationships with working memory (r = −0.30, p < .001) and mindfulness (r = −0.26, p < .001). Furthermore, behavioral dependence and compulsive use demonstrated significant negative correlations with working memory (r = −0.34, p < .001) and mindfulness (r = −0.30, p < .001). Overall, the results suggest that extensive, fragmented, and compulsive social media use may be associated with reduced working memory efficiency and diminished mindful attention to present-moment experiences. Accordingly, media literacy education, notification management, limiting non-purposeful use, and strengthening mindfulness skills may play an important role in preserving the cognitive and psychological health of young adults.
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