Üniversite Öğrencilerinde Yalnızlık ve Sosyal Medya Kullanımı Arasındaki İlişki: Karşılaştırmalı İnceleme ve Analiz

Abstract

Üniversite öğrencileri arasında giderek artan bir endişe kaynağı olan yalnızlık, sosyal medyanın günlük yaşama her geçen gün daha fazla entegre olmasından etkilenmektedir. Bu betimsel literatür taraması, sosyal medya kullanımı ile yalnızlık arasındaki karmaşık ilişkiyi incelemekte; küresel ve Türkiye odaklı araştırmalardan elde edilen bulguları sentezleyerek kültürlerarası bir bakış açısı sunmaktadır. Sosyal medya platformları bağlantı kurma fırsatları sunsa da, genellikle Kaçırma Korkusu (FoMO) gibi psikolojik faktörlerin tetiklediği problemli veya takıntılı kullanım, izolasyon hissini arttırabilmekte ve ruh sağlığını olumsuz etkileyebilmektedir. Bu çalışma; yalnızlığın hem duygusal hem de sosyal boyutlarını kapsayan çok boyutlu doğasını vurgulamakta; özsaygı, sosyal destek ve akademik stres gibi temel belirleyici faktörleri incelemektedir. Cinsiyet ve yaş farklılıkları ise bu dinamiklere daha ayrıntılı bir boyut kazandırmaktadır. Literatürdeki karmaşık bulgulara rağmen veriler; yalnızlık üzerindeki asıl belirleyici unsurun çevrimiçi etkileşimin miktarından ziyade, bu etkileşimlerin niteliği olduğunu göstermektedir. Bu inceleme; özellikle kültürlerarası karşılaştırmaların, boylamsal analizlerin ve nitel çalışmaların eksikliği gibi literatürdeki boşluklara doğrudan değinerek; gelecekteki çalışmaların nedensellik ve aracı faktörleri anlamada nasıl bir yol izlemesi gerektiğine dair bir çerçeve sunmaktadır. Elde edilen bulgular, giderek daha bağlantılı hale gelen günümüz dünyasında, sağlıklı dijital davranışları teşvik etmek ve öğrencilerin psikolojik refahını artırmak amacıyla yükseköğretim ortamlarında kişiye özel müdahale programlarının önemini vurgulamaktadır.

Keywords

• Yalnızlık
• Sosyal Medya
• Üniversite Öğrencileri.

Exploring the Relationship between Loneliness and Social Media Use among University Students: A Comparative Review and Analysis

Abstract

Loneliness among university students is a growing concern, influenced by the increasing integration of social media into their daily lives. This narrative literature review examines the intricate relationship between social media use and loneliness, synthesizing findings from global and Turkish research to provide a cross-cultural perspective. While social media platforms offer opportunities for connection, problematic or compulsive use, often driven by psychological factors such as Fear of Missing Out (FoMO), can exacerbate feelings of isolation and negatively impact mental health. The review highlights the multidimensional nature of loneliness, encompassing both emotional and social aspects, and examines key contributing factors, including self-esteem, social support, and academic stress. Gender and age differences further nuance these dynamics. Despite mixed findings, evidence suggests that the quality of social interactions, rather than the quantity of online engagement, critically affects loneliness outcomes. This review contributes to the literature by explicitly addressing research gaps, particularly the scarcity of cross-cultural comparisons, longitudinal analyses, and qualitative insights, and by outlining how these gaps can guide future studies to better understand causality and mediating factors. These findings emphasize the importance of tailored interventions in higher education settings to promote healthy digital behaviours and enhance students’ psychological well-being in an increasingly connected world.

Keywords

• Loneliness
• Social Media
• University Students.

Supporting Institution

Ibn Haldhun University

Ethical Statement

Not applicable

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