The effect of spiritual well-being on family belonging and social media use among young people

This study aims to examine the relationship between young individuals' spiritual well-being levels, family belonging and social media usage behaviors. Quantitative research method was adopted in the study and a total of three scales were used as data collection tools: sociodemographic information form, Spiritual Well-being Scale, Family Belonging Scale and Scale for the Effect of Social Media Use on Family Communication. In the study, the effects of spiritual well-being, family belonging and social media use on family communication were analyzed using the descriptive-relational screening model. The data of the study were collected on a voluntary basis by reaching university students through a survey form created in an online environment via Google Forms. The study data were obtained from 2500 university students; however, 454 individuals who did not meet the sampling criteria were excluded and the analyses were conducted on a sample of 2046 people using the SPSS 25.0 program. The findings show that there is a positive and significant relationship between spiritual well-being and family belonging, that the effect of social media use on family communication has a negative and significant relationship with spiritual wellbeing, and that the effect of social media use on family communication plays a significant and partial mediating role in the effect of spiritual well-being on family belonging. In conclusion, these findings show that the spiritual needs of young people in the digital age are a determining factor in both the strengthening of family ties and the effect of digital interactions on family dynamics, and that they are guiding social policies to be developed in this direction.