Social media usage: implications for empathy, passive aggressive behavior, and impulsiveness

Abstract

This paper undertakes an examination of the intricate interplay between social media consumption and critical psychological attributes, specifically empathy, passive aggression, and impulsiveness while adopting a nuanced perspective on potential variations across age cohorts. The primary objectives of this research encompass a comprehensive exploration of the relationships between social media engagement and the aforementioned psychological traits, coupled with a comparative assessment of these connections within two distinct age groups: young adults (aged 18–30) and the elderly population (aged 40 and above). The research design employed a purposive sampling strategy to assemble a diverse cohort of 200 Indian citizens. The empirical findings of this study substantiate a discernible positive correlation between increased social media use and heightened levels of passive aggression, affirming the initial hypothesis. In contrast, the anticipated associations between social media usage, empathy, and impulsiveness are not supported by empirical evidence. It is notable that no significant variations in the influence of social media on empathy and impulsiveness emerged between the two age groups. Furthermore, the regression analysis confirms the outcomes of the correlation analysis, underscoring the limited effect of social media on empathy and impulsiveness. However, the analysis also underscores a positive link between social media engagement and passive aggression, particularly among young adults. This research underscores the necessity of considering age-related nuances when exploring the impact of social media on individual behavior, emphasizing the requirement for a more nuanced comprehension of how social media shapes our psychological well-being