Association Between Social Media Addiction and Narcissistic Behaviour Among Undergraduate Medical Students: A Cross-Sectional Study

Evelyn Tee Geok Ming; Omar Baasil Raji; Marilyn A/P Chri Steven; Lim Li Xuan; Hamsvini A/P Sathivel

doi:7170306

Social media has become a popular leisure activity in many countries around the globe over the last few years. Social media enables users to share things about themselves, which might contribute to the increase in narcissism in the population. The objective of the present study was to study the association between social media addiction and narcissistic behaviour among students of Melaka Manipal Medical College in Muar and Melaka campuses. A cross-sectional study was conducted from September 2018 to October 2018 among undergraduate students of Melaka Manipal Medical College in Muar and Melaka campuses, which included students of batch 34, 35, 36 and batch 37. Social demographical data were collected using a short-structured questionnaire. ANOVA, unpaired T-test, simple linear regression, multiple linear regression was conducted using the Epi info™7 software. There were total of 150 of people who participated in this study. In multiple linear regression analysis, Mental Well-being score was b= −0.17, (p=0.006), Social media addiction score was b=0.25, (p=0.003) and Self-esteem score b=−0.28 (p=0.013) were associated significantly with narcissistic behaviour. The findings of the present study suggest that mental well-being, social media addiction and self-esteem may have been associated with narcissistic behaviour. To help avoid unhealthy narcissistic behaviour, we should eliminate social media addiction by participating in more healthy activities like sports, playing musical instruments, joining a book club, and more.

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