Examination of the relationship between social media use and marriage life satisfaction in married individuals – the example of Batman

This research was carried out to determine the relationship between married individuals' marital life satisfaction and social media usage levels. Within the scope of the research, it was also examined whether the married individuals' levels of life satisfaction and social media use differ significantly in terms of age, education level, duration of marriage, having children, income level, internet connection at home, time spent on social media and frequency of sharing. The participants of the study consisted of 400 married individuals, 200 women and 200 men, aged 18 and over, residing in Batman province and its districts. The research was carried out with the relational scanning model, one of the general scanning models. "Socio-Demographic Information Form" was used as a data collection tool in order to reach the demographic information of married individuals. In addition, "Marriage Satisfaction Scale" and "Social Media Usage Scale" were used. Pearson Product-Moment Correlation analysis was applied to determine the relationship between life satisfaction in marriage and social media use. As a result of the analysis, a negative and moderate correlation was found between the life satisfaction of married individuals and their use of social media, continuity and competence, which are the sub-dimensions of social media use (p<.05). In order to determine whether married individuals' marital life satisfaction and social media usage levels differ significantly in terms of age, education level, duration of marriage, having children, income level, having internet connection at home, time spent on social media and frequency of sharing, independent groups t- test and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used. As a result of the research, the variables examined differed in terms of age, education level, duration of marriage, having children, income level, time spent on social media and frequency of sharing; It was seen that there was no difference in terms of having internet connection at home. As a result of the research, it was seen that the marital life satisfaction scores of the individuals in the 35-44 and 45-54 age range were higher than the individuals in the 18-24 and 25-34 age range. On the other hand, it was observed that the scores of the 35-44, 45-54 and 55-year-old and older participants in social media use and its sub-dimensions were lower than the individuals in the 18-24 and 25-34 age range. It was observed that the marital life satisfaction scores of the individuals who graduated from primary and postgraduate education were higher than those who graduated from secondary education and associate degree. In addition, it was seen that the scores of the participants who graduated from secondary education, associate degree and postgraduate education in social media use and its sub-dimensions were higher than those who graduated from primary education. Individuals who have been married for 13 years or more have higher marital life satisfaction scores than other groups; On the contrary, it was seen that social media usage and sub-dimensions scores were lower. It has been observed that the scores of individuals who do not have children in social media use and sub-dimension scores are higher than those who have children. Individuals with an income of 6001-9000 TL and 9001 TL or more have higher marital life satisfaction scores than individuals with an income between 0-3000 TL and 3001-6000 TL; On the contrary, it was seen that social media usage and sub-dimensions scores were lower. As the time spent on social media increases, marital life satisfaction decreases; On the other hand, it was observed that social media usage and sub-dimensions scores increased on the contrary. While the marital life satisfaction scores of individuals who only share on special days are higher than other groups; On the contrary, it was observed that social media usage and sub-dimensions scores decreased. Keywords: Marriage, Marriage Satisfaction, Social Media Use