The Effect On Happiness Of Social Media Usage In Married Couples

Abstract

The aim of the research is to examine the effect of social media usage levels of married couples on happiness in their relationship. In the research, the effects of social media usage levels of married couples on their happiness in their relationships were analyzed in terms of demographic variables such as gender, age, length of marriage, number of children, educational status, spouse's educational status, spouse's employment status and spouse's employment status.

Dependent variables of the research; use of social media and happiness in the relationship, and independent variables are gender, age, length of marriage, number of children, education level and education level of the spouse. The population of the research consists of married individuals over the age of 18 living in Samsun, and the sample consists of 344 individuals, 188 females and 156 males, selected by random sampling method. The social media usage levels of the individuals participating in the research were determined by the "Social Media Addiction Scale-Adult Form", and the level of happiness in their relationships was determined by the "Happiness Scale in Relationships". Information including socio-demographic variables was obtained with the "Personal Information Form" developed by the researcher. SPSS 22.0 V. statistical program was used in all statistical calculations. The relationship between the participants' Happiness Scale in Relationships and Social Media Addiction total scores was determined by the Pearson correlation coefficient. The research findings were given as n(%),  mean and standard deviation values, and the findings were considered significant at the p<.05 level.

According to the findings of the research, male participants are more addicted to social media than females. It is seen that married individuals between the ages of 18-24 are more addicted to social media than married individuals over the age of 35. It has been determined that individuals with the length of marriage with 10 years or less are more addicted to social media than individuals who have been married for 11 years or more. It has been determined that married individuals who are university graduates are more addicted to social media than married individuals who are primary and secondary school graduates. It has been determined that married individuals whose spouses are university graduates are more addicted to social media than married individuals whose spouses are primary and secondary school graduates. Those with the least commitment to social media are those who have 3 or more children. According to the results of the research, it has been determined that there is negatively, low-level statistically negative correlation between happiness in relationships and social media addiction levels.