The Impact Of Social Media Addiction On Shyness And Interpersonal Competence: Exploring Emotional And Relational Dynamics

Abstract

Aim: Social media addiction has emerged as a significant factor influencing interpersonal relationships and emotional well-being. While social media facilitates connection, excessive use is linked to impaired interpersonal competence, increased shyness, and heightened social challenges. This study examines the relationships between social media addiction, shyness, and interpersonal competence, focusing on dimensions such as relationship initiation, self-disclosure, influence, emotional support, and conflict management. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study of 2,661 adults was conducted using online surveys. Data were collected with the Social Media Addiction Scale, the Shyness Scale, and the Interpersonal Competence Scale. Analyses, including descriptive statistics, correlations, and regressions, were performed using SPSS 21.0. Results: Participants reported an average daily social media usage of 3–4 hours, primarily during evening hours. Social media addiction was positively associated with shyness (explaining 22% of variance) and negatively associated with interpersonal competence (explaining 5–11% of variance across dimensions). Conflict and mood regulation were the strongest predictors of reduced interpersonal competence across multiple relational domains, including relationship initiation, self-disclosure, and emotional support. Shyness moderated the relationship, with socially shy individuals exhibiting higher dependency on social media and reduced emotional support and relationship initiation skills. Conclusion: Social media addiction negatively impacts interpersonal competence and exacerbates shyness, particularly among individuals with limited social skills. These findings highlight the need for targeted interventions addressing social media dependency and promoting interpersonal skills. Future research should explore longitudinal and cross-cultural perspectives to deepen understanding of these dynamics.

Keywords

• Emotional Well-being
• Interpersonal Competence
• Shyness
• Social Media Addiction

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