Effects of social media use disorder on life satisfaction and job performance

In this study, the objective was to investigate the effects of social media addiction on life satisfaction and job performance among academics employed at Sinop University. Social media addiction is conceptualized as a constellation of psychological and behavioral disturbances resulting from the excessive and uncontrolled use of social media platforms. Such maladaptive use can detrimentally impact individuals' daily routines, interpersonal relationships, and occupational functioning, leading to issues such as diminished attention span, challenges in time management, and neglect of professional responsibilities. Accordingly, elucidating the interrelationships among these three variables holds significance for organizational practices and the formulation of institutional strategies. With the proliferation of digital technologies, social media has become an integral aspect of everyday life. Nevertheless, when its usage becomes dysregulated, it may give rise to a range of psychological and behavioral complications, particularly undermining employees' work efficiency and overall life satisfaction. In cognitively demanding environments such as academia, these adverse effects may manifest more prominently. In this regard, the present study adopts a holistic perspective to explore the associations among social media addiction, life satisfaction, and job performance. A quantitative research design was employed, utilizing survey methodology for data collection. Data were gathered through the administration of the Social Media Addiction Scale, the Satisfaction With Life Scale, and the Individual Work Performance Scale via an online platform. The study population comprised academics at Sinop University, and a sample of 200 participants was selected using a convenience sampling strategy. Correlational and regression analyses were conducted to assess the relationships among the principal variables, while independent samples t-tests and one-way analyses of variance (ANOVA) were performed to examine variations based on demographic factors such as gender, academic rank, and age. The findings indicate that social media addiction exerts a negative influence on both life satisfaction and job performance. A significant negative correlation was observed between social media addiction and both life satisfaction and job performance, whereas a significant positive correlation emerged between life satisfaction and job performance. In light of these findings, it is recommended that academic institutions implement initiatives to raise awareness regarding responsible social media usage, offer training programs aimed at enhancing time management skills, and strengthen available psychological support services. Future research is encouraged to extend the scope of inquiry by examining the relationship between social media use and variables such as stress, burnout, and academic productivity, as well as by conducting comparative studies across different professional groups.vii Keyword: Social Media Use Disorder, Life Satisfaction, Job Performance. June 2025, 91 Page