Social Media Dependence and Exposure to Cyber-Stalking: The Role of Peer Acceptance, Peer Pressure, Childhood Neglect, and Depression among Adolescents

Oluwaseun Emmanuel  Omopo; Ganiyu Oluwaseyi Quadri; Wilfred Ukpere

doi:10.26458/jedep.v14i3.901

Autori

Oluwaseun Emmanuel Omopo University of Ibadan, Nigeria
Ganiyu Oluwaseyi Quadri University of Johannesburg
Wilfred Ukpere University of Johannesburg http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3308-0081

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.26458/jedep.v14i3.901

Cuvinte cheie:

Peer acceptance, Childhood neglect, Cyber-stalking, Depression

Rezumat

. Using Structural Equation Modelling (SEM), this study investigated peer acceptance, peer pressure, childhood neglect, cyber-stalking, and depression as predictors of social media dependence among in-school adolescents in Ibadan, Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling approach was employed to sample 508 adolescents from six randomly selected local government areas. Standardised instruments, including the Social Media Disorder Scale, Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, and PHQ-9, were administered. The results revealed that peer pressure (β = .23, p < .001), childhood neglect (β = .17, p < .001), cyber-stalking (β = .25, p < .001), and depression (β = .26, p < .001) significantly and positively predicted social media dependence, while peer acceptance (β = –.16, p = .001) had a significant negative effect. Depression significantly mediated the relationships between the predictor variables and social media dependence, with all indirect paths statistically significant (e.g., peer pressure: β = .09, childhood neglect: β = .08, cyber-stalking: β = .06, peer acceptance: β = –.07; all p < .01). Moreover, peer acceptance moderated the relationship between peer pressure (β = -0.12; p = 0.001), childhood neglect (β = -0.09; p = 0.011), and cyber-stalking (β = -0.10; p = 0.006), indicating a buffering relationship. The structural model goodness-of-fit indices indicated good fit - χ²/df = 2.31, CFI = 0.957, TLI = 0.944, RMSEA = 0.051, SRMR = 0.042 - and accounted for 49% variance in social media dependence (R² = 0.491). This research demonstrates the intersection of social variables, emotion, and digital behaviours that affect adolescent behaviours, and underscores the need for targeted interventions promoting peer support and emotional regulation.

Biografii autori

Oluwaseun Emmanuel Omopo, University of Ibadan, Nigeria

Dr Oluwaseun Emmanuel Omopo is an senior academic in the Department of Counselling and Human Development Studies, University of Ibadan, Nigeria

Ganiyu Oluwaseyi Quadri, University of Johannesburg

Dr Ganiyu Oluwaseyi Quadri is an outstanding academic, who is currently busy with his Postdoctoral fellowship in the Department of Industrial Psychology and People Management, School of Management, College of Business and Economics University of Johannesburg, South Africa

Wilfred Ukpere, University of Johannesburg

Wilfred Ukpere is a Full-Professor in the department of Industrial Psychology and People Management in the School of Management, College of Business and Economics, University of Johannesburg.

Referințe

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