Social Media and Its Influence on University Students’ Self-esteem

A Thesis
Presented to the College of
Arts and Sciences
University of La Salette, Inc.

In Partial Fulfillment of the

Requirement for the Degree
Bachelor of Science in Psychology

Lucas, Kin Alyza V.

Cariazo, Hazel V.

JUNE 2024
 APPROVAL SHEET

This thesis entitled “Social Media and Its Influence on University Students’
Self-esteem”, prepared and submitted by Kin Alyza Lucas and Hazel Cariazo
has been approved and accepted as partial fulfillment of the requirements for the
degree of Bachelor of Science in Psychology.

Jhoanna Marie M. Guitering, RPm, MOP, RPsy

Adviser
________________________________________________________________
PANEL OF EXAMINERS

DR. BELINDA A. RAMOS, FPAMs, MSPH

Chairman

MELISSA B. BACENA, MAEd, MOM

Member

Accepted as partial fulfillment of the requirement for the degree BACHELOR OF

SCIENCE IN PSYCHOLOGY

AIMEE P. CALINGASAN, MAEd

OIC Dean, College of Arts and Sciences
 ii

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

We would like to express our deepest gratitude to all those who have

supported us in the completion of this research project.

First and foremost, without the commitment to learning and unending

patience of our research adviser, Ma’am Jhoanna Marie M. Guitering, RPm,

MOP, RPsy, the completion of this thesis would not have been successful. We

are grateful for your dedication and giving us sharing us your knowledge and

giving us time, advice, and support.

We would like to thank the statistician for helping us complete our data

analysis. We are also grateful for the time and expertise of our dear panelists.

Mostly, we would like to thank our loving God, who is the source of our

strength to finish our thesis, for giving us wisdom, understanding, counsel,

patience, and knowledge to come up with beautiful research that could help

other people.
 iii

DEDICATION

We deeply appreciate all the professionals who contributed to this thesis.

We are thankful for their guidance and support throughout our journey, and we

value their patience, understanding, and willingness to share their knowledge

and experiences. To our family, your support, guidance, presence, and

encouragement have been a significant source of motivation. We are truly

grateful for your sacrifices. We also extend our sincerest gratitude to God for His

unwavering presence, guidance, and blessings during our internship. Without

Him, we would not have achieved the accomplishments and personal growth we

experienced. We are forever grateful for this journey and look forward to His

continued guidance in our future endeavors.

 iv

ABSTRACT

Name of Institution : University of La Salette, Inc.

Address : Santiago City, Philippines

Title : Social Media and Its Influence on University Students’

Self-esteem

Author : Kin Alyza V. Lucas

Hazel V. Cariazo

Date of Completion : June 2024

This quantitative research examines the influence of social media usage

on the self-esteem of university students. The study aims to identify patterns and

correlations between the extent of social media engagement and self-esteem

levels. Stratified random sampling used as a sampling method.

The research used adopted questionnaire. A sample of 347 university

students participated by completing standardized Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale

that used to measure of self-esteem and by asking to students about the extent

of using social media in a day.

 v

It further investigated and statistically analyzed the relationship between

social media to students’ self-esteem when distributing the extent of social media,

level of self-esteem, and testing the relationship between social media to

students’ self-esteem. The research utilized a Chi-square test of Independence

to obtain the result. The analysis revealed that there is no significant relationship

between social media to student’s self-esteem. Higher levels of social media use

are associated with lower self-esteem, with variations observed based on the

type of social media platform and the nature of the interactions (positive or

negative). Moreover, also revealed that there is no significant relationship

between social media to students’ self-esteem Computed 2 = 6.974 (df = 5) (p =

0.223).

The findings emphasized the impact of social media on self-esteem,

underscoring the need for greater awareness and interventions to promote

healthier social media habits among university students. The study concludes by

suggestions for future research directions and practical applications to support

students' mental health.

KEYWORDS: Self-esteem, Social media, Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale, Chi-

square Test
 vi

TABLE OF CONTENTS

TITLE PAGE
TITLE APPROVAL SHEET
ACKNOWLEDGMENT ii
DEDICATION iii
ABSTRACT iv
TABLE OF CONTENTS vi
LIST OF TABLES viii
LIST OF FIGURES ix
INTRODUCTION 1
Background of the Study 2
Research Questions/Hypothesis 5
Significance of the Study 6
Theoretical Background 6
Conceptual Framework 7
Literature Review 8
METHODOLOGY 12
Research Design 12
Study Site and Participants 12
Population and Sampling Method 12
Statistical Tool and Method of Data Analysis 16
Ethical Considerations 17
RESULTS 19
DISCUSSION 23
Conclusion 25
Recommendation 25
REFERENCES 28
APPENDICES 30
 vii

Appendix A - Approval Letter to Conduct the Study 30

Appendix B - Approval Letter to Gather Data 32

Appendix C - Letter to the Participants 33

Appendix D - Questionnaire or Data Gathering Instrument 34

Appendix E - Curriculum Vitae 35

 viii

LIST OF TABLES
Table 1. Population of the Study 13
Table 2. Distribution of the Respondents According 19
to the Extent of Social Media Exposure

20
Table 3. Distribution of the Respondents According
to the Level of Self-esteem

Table 4. Chi-Square Test of Independence on Social 21

Media Exposure and Self-esteem

 ix

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1. Conceptual Framework 8

 1

INTRODUCTION

The researchers chose the topic "Social Media and Its Influence on

University Students’ Self-esteem" because social media is a huge part of young

adults' lives today. University students spend a lot of time on platforms like

Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok, not only to chat with friends but also to show

who they are and build their identities. Since social media is so common in their

daily routines, it's important to understand how it affects their self-esteem and

mental health. It is important for individuals to be aware of the potential negative

impacts of social media on self-esteem and take steps to protect their mental

health. Setting boundaries, practicing self-care, engaging in positive activities

offline, and cultivating self-compassion and self-acceptance can help mitigate the

harmful effects of social media on self-esteem.

Schooling is a crucial time for personal growth, filled with academic, social,

and personal challenges. Students often feel a lot of pressure to do well in their

studies while also trying to fit in socially and keep up with friendships. Social

media can make these pressures worse by creating a culture of comparison,

where students constantly see the seemingly perfect lives of others.

Understanding how this affects their self-esteem can help us find ways to support

students and lessen the negative impacts of social media. This research is

important because it looks at how digital technology affects mental health during

an important time in young adults' lives.

 2

There is also a growing concern among teachers, parents, and mental

health experts about how social media affects young people's mental health.

University students, who have grown up with digital technology, are especially

affected by these platforms. Social media can greatly influence self-esteem.

While it helps people stay connected and share positive experiences, it can also

lead to comparisons and negative feelings about oneself. Understanding this

impact is important for promoting healthy self-esteem in the digital age. Further

research is needed to understand the connection and its implications for

individuals' well-being.

Background of the Study

When they talk about social media, the common thing that comes to mind

is its use as a way of communication and sharing information. But it cannot be

denied that sometimes social media is the root of comparison, bullying, and the

word cancellation, which was formed inside the social media world. In the past

few years, people haven’t seen a huge difference in this society that was caused

by social media. It wasn't until the pandemic started that the use of social media

significantly increased. Even people around 1 year old and above 50 years old

started learning to use cellphones. During the COVID-19 pandemic, most people

weren’t able to go out, and people’s only choice of entertainment was the use of

gadgets. In our present time, after the pandemic and lockdown, the usage of

gadgets has not changed a lot. At this time, youth are the most active users of
 3

social media, which has a significant impact on attitude and personality

development, specifically its effect on self-esteem. It reflects our evolving digital

world, continuously shaping our way to connect, communicate, and perceive the

world.

Social media has undeniably become the basis of the beauty standard of

society these days. But does this affect the self-esteem of the youth, especially

the college students at the University of La Salette?

After the Internet was established more than ten years ago, social

networking emerged as a brand-new medium for communication. Facebook,

Instagram, Twitter, and other online social networking sites are becoming more

and more common and practically a part of daily life, especially for college

students. Ninety percent of college students have a Facebook account, and

there is an estimated range of thirty minutes to over two hours of daily usage on

this social networking site. Kristine Raymer (2015)

Social media encompasses websites, apps, and platforms that enable

online communication and interaction among users. These tools allow

individuals to generate and distribute content, establish connections with peers,

family, and associates, and participate in diverse social engagements. Features

commonly found in social media include news feeds, user profiles, messaging

functions, photo and video sharing capabilities, and community forums. On the
 4

other hand, self-esteem denotes an individual's subjective assessment of their

significance. It comprises one's perceptions and convictions about their own

capabilities, characteristics, and qualities. Factors like personal

accomplishments, social engagements, and external evaluations can impact a

person's self-esteem.

Self-esteem refers to an individual's overall subjective evaluation of their

own worth and value. It is the perception and belief one has about themselves,

including their abilities, qualities, and attributes. Self-esteem can be influenced

by various factors, such as personal achievements, social interactions, and

external feedback.

The influence of social media on self-esteem is highly relevant today.

Social media platforms often present a filtered and curated version of people's

lives, showcasing their achievements, successes, and positive experiences. This

constant exposure to carefully selected posts and images can create a distorted

perception of reality and contribute to feelings of inadequacy and lower self-

esteem.

In this study, the researchers will do a survey that will enlighten us on how

social media influenced the University of La Salette college students’ self-esteem.

The objectives of this research aim to provide a comprehensive

understanding of how social media influences students' self-esteem, expand the

 5

students' thinking about the use of social media and their self-esteem, provide

insights that can explain the impact of social media on the self-esteem of the

University of La Salette College, and guide educators, parents, and students in

navigating the digital landscape with greater awareness and resilience.

Statement of the Problem

This study sought to determine social media and its influence on

University of La Salette college students’ self-esteem. Specifically, it could

answer the following question:

1. What is the extent of social media exposure?

2. What is the level of self-esteem of the respondents?

3. Is there a significant relationship between social media

exposure and self-esteem among university students?

Hypothesis

Ho: There is no significant relationship between social media exposure to

student’s self-esteem.

Ha: There is a significant relationship between social media exposure to

student’s self-esteem.
 6

Significance of the Study

The result of this will be a great benefit to the students because it will help

them become more aware of the potential impact of social media on their self-

esteem and well-being, enabling them to make more informed choices about

their online activities. The outcome of the study will play a crucial role for parents

in guiding their children's online experiences. The study's findings can help them

better understand the influence of social media on their children's self-esteem

and provide appropriate guidance and support. For mental health professionals,

this study will raise awareness of the potential mental health implications of

social media use, enabling them to provide targeted interventions and support

for individuals dealing with self-esteem issues. For future researchers, it may

also serve as a basis for further study and foundation and may give ideas on

dealing with social media exposure and its influence on students’ self-esteem.

Theoretical Background

This study was anchored on Social Comparison Theory by Leon Festinger,

who claimed that the theory explains how individuals evaluate their self-worth by

comparing themselves to others. People have a natural tendency to assess their

opinions, abilities, and attributes by comparing themselves with others who are

similar to them. The theory suggests that social comparison serves as a means

of self-evaluation and helps individuals determine their social status and

personal worth.
 7

The social comparison theory proposes that individuals determine their

own social and personal worth by comparing themselves to others. People

engage in upward comparisons, where they compare themselves to those they

perceive as better off, and downward comparisons, where they compare

themselves to those they perceive as worse off. These comparisons can have an

impact on their self-esteem and overall well-being.

On social media, people often compare themselves to others based on

their appearance, achievements, relationships, and lifestyles. The constant

exposure to carefully curated and idealized versions of others' lives can lead to

upward social comparison, where individuals perceive themselves as inferior

and experience a decline in self-esteem. They may feel inadequate or not good

enough compared to the perceived standards set by others. The constant

exposure to idealized versions of others' lives on social media and the tendency

to make comparisons can significantly impact individuals' self-esteem. It is

crucial for individuals to be aware of the potential influence of social media on

their self-perception and to practice mindful and healthy social media use to

protect their self-esteem and overall well-being.

Conceptual Framework

The paradigm represents the study's conceptual framework. Through the

input process, it aims to determine if there is truly an effect of social media and

its influence on university students’ self-esteem.

 8

Review of Related Literature

A good literature review provides a foundation for the researcher on the

chosen topic. The review of literature provides for a better understanding and

current knowledge about the topic. Not only is it beneficial for the researcher, but

it is also beneficial for the individuals and groups of institutions who need to

review vital information about the topic. In the review of some literature and

studies that have been conducted, as well as theories and models that will

further explain the research problem, the researchers gathered some relevant

information that may not have direct similarity with the present study, yet in one

way or another, has a relation to the research problem.

The research of N. Ahmad et al. (2017) found that 88% of individuals

participate in social comparisons on Facebook, with 98% of these comparisons

 9

being upward social comparisons (individuals evaluate themselves in

comparison to someone they believe has a higher status than them). This

determined that social media significantly influences the self-esteem of

individuals. Engaging in upward comparisons with others leads to a feeling of

envy. This causes a negative impact on self-esteem. According to Pantic (2014),

social networking platforms like Facebook can lead to anxiety, depression,

psychotic disorders, and decreased self-esteem. This study demonstrated how

the mental health system might change in the future, particularly because online

social networking affects a large part of the world's population. Many individuals

utilize Facebook not for managing their emotions or moods but to fight loneliness,

yet they ultimately experience decreased life satisfaction (Kross et al., 2013).

Gilbert A. (2019), As the addiction to social media rises, self-esteem

declines. Social media has a negative impact on self-esteem for individuals of all

sexes, with both men and women being equally affected by its influence.

Between the age gap, younger age group has lower self-esteem and higher

social media addiction. This shows that increased time spent on social media

can lead to negative psychological outcomes, including feelings of inadequacy,

low self-worth, and heightened anxiety. In addition, Costin et al. (2011)

conducted research in which revealed that students who use Facebook much

longer exhibited lower self-esteem and it also indicated that as individuals grew

older, their interaction with Facebook became more indulgent. The younger

generation, who have been exposed to social media since childhood, have
 10

developed better coping mechanisms for managing its impact on their self-

esteem compared to older generations. According to W. Li (2021), teenagers are

more likely to become addicted to social media than other age groups because

they naturally seek social interactions and have a strong desire to express

themselves.

Bingol et al. (2023), between self-esteem and social media addiction it

negatively impacts teenagers with body image acting as a partial intermediary in

linking social media addiction to self-esteem levels. A person's body image is

interconnected with their self-concept, impacting their personality, values, and

social interactions. It represents a fundamental aspect of the self and plays a

crucial role in an adolescent's development of identity.

According to Social Media Victims Law Center (2023), the utilization of

social media platforms has been associated with decreased levels of body

satisfaction and self-esteem in young women. Moreover, the widespread use of

social media makes it easy for people to compare themselves to others, which is

connected to feeling unhappy with their own bodies. On social media, people

often see idealized images of models and actresses, who look perfect and fit the

current beauty standards. When individuals see these images, they might feel

that they don't measure up, leading to dissatisfaction with their own appearance.

This constant comparison can negatively affect self-esteem and body image.
 11

According to Fielding (2022), as cited in Tay and Diener (2011), they

carried out a study between 2005 and 2010 with 60,865 participants from 123

countries to illustrate this concept. Participants responded to a set of inquiries

about needs associated with Maslow's hierarchy. It wasn't necessary to meet

basic needs before addressing the less essential. The results indicated that

although certain needs are indeed a human need, it is not always required to

satisfy basic needs first before moving on to less essential ones, as suggested

by Maslow's hierarchy. This means that even if a person's fundamental needs

like food, water, and safety weren't fully met, they could still seek and fulfill

higher-level needs such as social connections, esteem, and self-actualization.

This challenges the traditional view of Maslow's theory, which proposes a strict

order of need fulfillment.

 12

METHODOLOGY

Research Design

The descriptive correlational design would provide valuable insights into

the relationship between social media and self-esteem among the University of

La Salette college students, without manipulating variables or establishing

causation. It could help identify potential patterns and associations to guide

further research and interventions in this area.

Study Site and Participants

This study was conducted at the University of La Salette College. The

respondents are randomly selected from different colleges. These colleges are

the college of Engineering and Architecture (CEA), College of Business

Education (CBE), College of Information Technology (CIT), College of Arts and

Sciences (CAS), College of Accountancy (COA), College of Nursing, Public

Health and Midwifery (CONPHM), College of Medicine and Allied Medical

Programs (CMAMP), College of Teacher Education (CTE), and College of

Criminal Justice Education (CCJE).

Population and Sampling Method

The respondents to the study is composed of college students at the

University of La Salette. One of the vital processes to keep this study successful.

All these participants were selected through stratified random sampling. This
 13

sampling method is conducted where each member of a population has the

capability to become part of the sample. The chosen respondents consist of 347

respondents from the University of La Salette through stratified random sampling.

The University of La Salette College was chosen by the researchers because it

is suitable and applicable to the study. The goal of this study was to discover

social media and its influence on University of La Salette college students’ self-

esteem.

A Stratified Random Sampling procedure was used for selecting the

respondents in this study. This technique was applied to ensure a fairly equal

representation of the variables for the study. The survey was done at the

University of La Salette with the help of college students. This was achieved by

randomly picking students from the campus using the stratified sampling method.

According to the American Psychological Association (2023), stratified random

sampling is the process of selecting a sample from a population comprised of

various subgroups (strata) in such a way that each subgroup is represented. The

researchers took into account the different student populations in each college to

determine the required number of students for each college. The respondents

are distributed as follows:

Population
CAS Sample Size
Size
AB PHILO 9 1
AB JOURN 7 1
 14

BA POS 48 4
BS PSY 126 8
BSSW 50 3
Sample Size 240 17

Population
CBE Sample Size
Size

BSBA-FM 136 10

BSBA-HRM 19 1

BSBA-MM 167 12

BSHM 165 11

BSTM 170 12

Sample Size 657 46

Population
CEA Sample Size
Size
BSARCH 326 23
BSCE 778 55
BSCPE 81 6
BSEE 49 3
BSGE 21 1
Sample Size 1255 88

Population Sample
CMAMP
Size Size
BMLS 564 41
BSPHARMA 190 13
BSPT 26 2
 15

BSRT 115 8
Sample Size 895 63

Population Sample
CTE
Size Size
BEED 34 2
BPED 56 4
BSE ENGLISH 63 4
BSE FILIPINO 23 2
BSE MATH 13 1
BSE SCIENCES 14 1
BSE SOCIAL STUDIES 58 4
Sample Size 261 18

Population
CON PHM Sample Size
Size
BS MIDWIFERY 35 4
BSN 926 63
Sample Size 961 67

Population
CIT Sample Size
Size
Sample Size 137 10

Population Sample
COA
Size Size
Sample Size 378 27

Population Sample
CCJE
Size Size
Sample Size 318 22
 16

Statistical Tool and Method of Data Analysis

A questionnaire was used as a data-gathering instrument. The college

students at the University of La Salatte will answer a survey question.

Appendix A of the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale was developed by Dr.

Morris Rosenberg (1965). It is a widely recognized and commonly used measure

of self-esteem. It has undergone extensive validation and demonstrated good

reliability in various studies. The scale will classify the level of self-esteem of the

student. It is efficient and convenient because of the scale that only consists of

only 10 items, making it relatively brief and time-efficient to administer. This is

especially valuable when collecting data from a large number of participants or

when time is a constraint.

The researchers used the 4-point scale, from “strongly agree” (SA),

through “agree” (A), “disagree” (D) to “strongly disagree” (SD).

Scoring

The Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale scores are calculated as follows:

For items 1, 2, 4, 6, and 7:

Strongly agree = 3

Agree = 2

Disagree = 1

Strongly disagree = 0
 17

For items 3, 5, 8, 9, and 10 (which are reversed in valence):

Strongly agree = 0

Agree = 1

Disagree = 2

Strongly disagree = 3

The scale ranges from 0-30. Scores between 15 and 25 are within normal

range; scores below 15 suggest low self-esteem.

Data of the study will analyze using Statistical Packages for the Social

Science (SPSS). Descriptive statistics was applied for the analysis of data.

Frequency and percentage were used to analyze the extent of using social

media and level of self-esteem. Chi-Square was used to assess potential

relationship of the level of self-esteem and the extent of using social media of

participants.

Ethical Consideration

In conducting research, ethical considerations play a crucial role in

ensuring the well-being and rights of participants. This ethical consideration

involves obtaining informed consent from participants. Before involving

individuals in the study, researchers provided detailed information about the

purpose, procedures, potential risks, and benefits of the research. Privacy and
 18

confidentiality are also important ethical considerations in research. Researchers

took measures to protect the personal information and identities of participants.

This includes carefully considering the potential physical, psychological,

and social impact of the research. The researchers make sure that the

participants are treated with the utmost respect. By adhering to these ethical

principles, researchers conducted research that upholds the rights and well-

being of participants and contributes to the advancement of knowledge ethically

and responsibly.
 19

RESULTS

Descriptive Statistics

This section contains a detailed presentation and discussion of data

analysis and the results of this study. The findings were presented on a table

with the following major headings: the extent of social media exposure, level of

self-esteem, and Chi-square test.

Table 1

Distribution of the Respondents According to the Extent of Social Media

Exposure

Hours Frequency Percent

1-3 HOURS 41 11.8

4-6 HOURS 90 25.9

7-9 HOURS 97 28.0

10-12 HOURS 87 25.1

13-15 HOURS 21 6.1

16-18 HOURS 11 3.2

Total 347 100.0

Table 1 shows the total number of respondents with the percentage with

the certain hours where 1-3 hours (f= 41; 11.8%), 4-6 hours (f=90; 25.9%), 7-9

hours (f=97; 28.0%), 10-12 hours (f=87; 25.1%), 13-15 (f=21; 6.1%), 16-18 hours
 20

(f=11; 3.2%).
It presents frequency and percentage distribution of the hours orderly.

Respondents who answered the questionnaire are the 347 students from the

university. It is to determine what mostly extent of social media according to the

respondents. This implies that majority of the respondents who answered the

extent of social media in a day is 7-9 hours.

Table 2

Distribution of the Respondents According to the Level of Self-esteem

Level of Self-esteem Frequency Percent

NORMAL 85 24.5
LOW 262 75.5

Total 347 100.0

Table 2 showed the total number of respondents with the percentage of

level of self-esteem where in normal level (f=85; 24.5%); low level (f=262;

75.5%).

It presents the distribution of the respondents according to the level of

self-esteem. It is to determine whether normal or low is the level of self-esteem.

The table shows that majority of the respondents has low self-esteem.
 21

Table 3

Chi-Square Test of Independence on Social Media Exposure and Self-esteem

Level of Self-esteem 1-3 4-6 7-9 10-12 13-15 16-18 TOTAL

Hours Hours Hours Hours Hours Hours
Frequency 12 18 24 20 5 6 85
NORMAL Percent 3.5% 5.2% 6.9% 5.8% 1.4% 1.7% 24.5%
Frequency 29 72 73 67 16 5 262
LOW Percent 8.4% 20.7% 21.0% 19.3% 4.6% 1.4% 75.5%
Frequency 41 90 97 87 21 11 347
Total Percent 11.8% 25.9% 28.0% 25.1% 6.1% 3.2% 100.0%

Computed 2 = 6.974 (df = 5) (p = 0.223) not significant at 5% level

The result showed the frequency and percentage of normal level of self-

esteem correlated to the extent of using social media: 1-3 hours (f=12; 3.5%); 4-6

hours (f=18;5.2%), 7-9 hours (f=24;6.9%), 10-12 hours (f=20;5.8%), 13-15 hours

(f=5;1.4%), 16-18 hours (f=6;1.7%). On the other hand, the low level of self-

esteem correlated to the extent of using social media: 1-3 hours (f=29; 8.4%); 4-6

hours (f=72;20.7%), 7-9 hours (f=73;21.0%), 10-12 hours (f=67;19.3%), 13-15

hours (f=16;4.6%), 16-18 hours (f=5;1.4%).

A chi-square test for Independence was conducted to determine whether

the students’ Social Media Exposure is associated to their Self-esteem. The test

result to the exposure of using social media and their self-esteem (2(5) = 6.974 ,

= 0.223) . Thus, the null hypothesis must be accepted at a 0.05 significance

level.
 22

DISCUSSION

This quantitative descriptive study aimed to ascertain the social media

and its exposure on the university students’ self-esteem. This section presents a

critical analysis and discussion of the result in answer to the research question

posed. It also presents the study’s conclusion and recommendation based on its

significant findings.

Respondents’ Extent of Social Media Exposure

Respondents are asked to indicate the extent of using social media

exposure in a day. Among the 347 respondents that were randomly chosen from

different colleges, the majority answered 7-9 hours of social media exposure (f =

97, 28.0%). Between the 6 different hour ranges with 3 hours of interval,

university students are more likely to use social media between 1-9 hours with

the 65.7% of population when it comes to the midpoint (9&10).

Respondents’ Level of Self-esteem

Distribution of the Respondents According to the Level of Self-esteem

was used to compare the level of self-esteem among the respondents. The test

result showed that the total computed frequency and percentage of low level is

higher than the high level of self-esteem. Out of 347 respondents, 85

respondents resulted a normal level of self-esteem. On the other hand, 262

 23

respondents resulted a low level of self-esteem with the 75.5% of the whole

population.

Relationship Between University Students’ Self-esteem and Social Media

Exposure

A 10-item Self-esteem Scale by Rosenberg was used to gather data on

impact of extent of social media exposure to the self-esteem level of the

respondents. The test result revealed that there is no significant relationship

between social media exposure to students’ self-esteem 2 = 6.974 (df = 5) (p =

0.223). Thus, the null hypothesis must be accepted at a 0.05 significance level.

After evaluating results from the present studies scale it showed that

there was no significant relationship between self-esteem and extent of using

social media exposure, this leads us to reject the alternative hypothesis of the

study which is the relationship between self-esteem and extent of using social

media of the university students. Furthermore, a related study conducted by R.

Rahman et al. (2022), found that social media did not adversely affect the

selfesteem of university students. Similarly, Valkenburg et al. (2021) reported

that most youths experienced no or very small effect of social media usage and

on self-esteem. Comparing to the period of studies about the effect social media

in self-esteem, it occurs that before pandemic the studies about social media

negatively impacted the self-esteem. Such as, Ahmad et al. (2017), social media
 24

negatively influence the self-esteem of individuals due to comparison leading to

envy.

Conclusion

The present study seeks to determine if there is a significant relationship

between the extent of social media exposure and self-esteem. Based on the

guidelines given and the result of the statistic, the extent of social media and

self-esteem is not significantly related. Comparing all the hour ranges given,

based on frequency and percentage, it indicates that social media exposure and

self-esteem has no significant relationship.

However, the conclusion of this study is that whether the students are

exposing too much or less time in using social media really affects their self-

esteem. It’s important to note that self-esteem is influenced by a range of factors

beyond just social media, such as personal relationships, academic performance,

family dynamics, and individual personality traits. While social media does have

an impact, it's just one part of the whole picture. To really understand and help

with self-esteem issues, we need to look at all the different parts of a person's

life, not just what they do online.

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Recommendation

One potential area for future research in the field of social media usage

and its impact on self-esteem is conducting an extended study.

1. In the future, researchers could investigate what happens when people take

a longer break from social media. This might help find out more about how

self-esteem changes. Another idea is to compare the self-esteem of students

who don't use social media with those who use it a lot. This kind of study

could fill in some gaps in our understanding of the subject, especially if it's

done as a qualitative study, which looks at people's experiences in more

detail.

2. Further research would explore how cultural and societal factors shape the

relationship between social media use and self-esteem across age groups.

Investigate how societal norms, media representations, and peer

interactions influence self-esteem outcomes related to social media usage

among young

individuals.

3. Compare how different social media platforms affect how people feel about

themselves in different age groups. Look at what's on these platforms and

how they work to see if they have different effects on younger and older

people's self-esteem.
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4. Researchers could investigate how social media affects how people feel

about themselves in different age groups. Look into things like comparing

themselves to others, seeking approval online, dealing with bullying online,

and how they shape their identity online. See how these factors relate to

how students feel about themselves.

5. Furthermore, researchers can also do extensive research about the changes

of self-orientation due to pandemic. A lot of studies before COVID-19

pandemic was published and found that social media negatively correlated

in self-esteem of students. Somehow, pandemic can be the cause of change.

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REFERENCES

Jan, M., Soomro, S. A., & Ahmad, N. (2017). Impact of Social Media on Self-

Esteem. European Scientific Journal, ESJ, 13(23),

329. https://doi.org/10.19044/esj.2017.v13n23p329

Joyce C. (2022). Low Self-Esteem: The Role of Social

Comparison. https://theskillcollective.com/blog/low-self-esteem-social-

comparison

Matthew B. (2023). Effects of Social Media. Social Media Victims Law center.

https://socialmediavictims.org/effects-of-social-media/

Mehmet Colak, Ozlem Sireli Bingol, and Ali Dayi (2023) Indian

J Psychiatry; 65(5): 595–600.

10.4103/indianjpsychiatry.indianjpsychiatry_306_22.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10309264/

Powdthavee, N. (2014). Social Comparison Theory. In: Michalos, A.C. (eds)

Encyclopedia of Quality of Life and Well-Being Research. Springer,

Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-0753-5_2740

Rahman et al., 2022. Pertanika Journal of Social Science and Humanities,

Volume 30, Issue 3, September 2022 DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47836/pjssh.30.3.06
 28

Rosenberg, M. (1965). Rosenberg self-esteem scale (RSE). Acceptance and

Commitment Therapy. Measures Package, 61.

https://novopsych.com.au/assessments/well-being/rosenberg-self-

esteem-scalerses/

Sarah Fielding (2022), What is Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs? A deep Dive Into

The Research & Criticism.

https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/maslows-hierarchy-of-needs-

research
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APPENDICES
Appendix A

Approval Letter to Conduct the Study

30
 31

Appendix B
Approval Letter to Gather Data
 32

Appendix C
Letter to the Participants
 33

Appendix D
Questionnaire or Data Gathering Instrument

UNIVERSITY OF LA SALETTE, INC.

College of Arts and Sciences
Santiago City

Extent of social media exposure in a day: __________

Below is a list of statements dealing with your general feelings about
yourself. Check ( / ) the box that represents your answers.
SA - Strongly Agree A - Agree D - Disagree SD- Strongly Disagree
SA A D SD
1. I feel that I am a person of
worth, at least on an equal plane of
others.
2. I feel that I have a number
of good qualities.
3. All in all, I am inclined to
feel that I am a failure.
4. I am able to do things as
well as most other people.
5. I feel I do not have much to
be proud of.
6. I take a positive attitude
toward myself.
7. On the whole, I am
satisfied with myself.
8. I wish that I could have
more respect for myself.
9. I certainly feel useless at
times.
10. At times I think I am no
good at all.
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Appendix E
Curriculum Vitae
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