The role of peer relationships and impulsivity in predicting social media addiction in adolescents

The aim of this study is to examine the role of peer relationships and impulsivity in predicting social media addiction in adolescents. At the same time, it will be examined whether the variables of resilience, life satisfaction and sense of family coherence differ depending on individuals' demographic information. The sample of the study consists of 282 individuals, 199 girls and 83 boys, aged 13 and 19. The data of the research were obtained by using the Demographic Information Form, Social Media Addiction Scale Short Form for Adolescents, Peer Relationship Scale and Barratt Impulsivity Scale Short Form. SPSS 22.0 was used while analyzing the data. Findings were obtained using Independent Samples t-Test, ANOVA, Pearson Correlation and Multiple Linear Regression. As a result of the research, it was found that the peer relations and impulsivity scores of the participants differed according to gender, and there was no difference between the groups in social media addiction. It was determined that all three variables did not differ depending on the grade level. When the relationship between the variables was examined, a positive and significant relationship was found between peer relations and social media addiction, a negative significant relationship was found between social media addiction and impulsivity, and between peer relationships and impulsivity variables. At the last stage of the study, it was seen that impulsivity and peer relations affected social media addiction, the effect of impulsivity was significant and peer relations did not significantly predict social media addiction.