Abstract:
The rapid growth of social media usage has raised significant concerns regarding its
influence on psychological well-being, particularly among state university
undergraduates in Sri Lanka. Despite the widespread adoption of social media,
limited empirical research exists in the Sri Lankan context to examine its
psychological implications. This study addresses this gap by investigating the
relationship between social media usage and psychological well-being among
undergraduates of Rajarata University of Sri Lanka. The independent variables
explored include duration of usage, purpose of usage, and social media addiction,
while the dependent variable, psychological well-being, was assessed through the
dimensions of self-acceptance, positive relations with others, purpose in life, and
personal growth, based on Ryff’s framework. A deductive research approach was
employed, with hypotheses formulated from the existing literature. The study adopted
a quantitative explanatory design and utilized quota sampling to select 369
respondents. Primary data were collected through a structured questionnaire, and
statistical analyses, including correlation and regression, were performed using SPSS
Software. Findings indicate that both the duration of usage and social media addiction
significantly influence psychological well-being, while the purpose of usage also
demonstrates a notable direct impact. Although the methodology is robust, limitations
related to sampling and generalizability should be acknowledged. By offering new
insights into how digital behavior affects student mental health within Sri Lankan
higher education, this study contributes to the existing body of knowledge and
provides practical implications for educators, mental health practitioners, and
policymakers to support student well-being in the digital era.
