Medium Dependence Research Articles

Sleep deprivation and its associated factors among early adolescents in selected schools of Kathmandu Metropolitan City

Background: Sleep deprivation is a growing mental health issue that is characterized by a lack of adequate sleep with fatigue and lethargy. It is an increasing concern for early adolescents as they have constant access to the internet and social media nowadays. This research aimed to identify the prevalence of sleep deprivation and its associated factors among early adolescents. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 329 early adolescents from selected schools in Kathmandu valley. The lottery method was used to select the study area and simple random was used for sample units. A semi-structured questionnaire and face-to-face interview were conducted as a data collection tool and technique. KOBO toolbox and SPSS 25.0 were used for data entry and analysis. Relevant descriptive statistics were computed for all variables and the association was computed using the Chi-square test. Results: Among 329 respondents, 60.2% had poor sleep quality, and 54.7% were dependent upon social media. Sleep quality and social media dependency were positively associated with the gender of the respondent, frequency of checking social media apps per day, use of social media before sleeping and after waking up, duration of social media usage before sleeping, academic performance, and interest in studying. Conclusions: This study showed a significant relationship between social media usage, poor sleep quality, and academic performance. It highlighted a critical need for awareness of sleep deprivation and the psychological effects of excessive social media usage on adolescents in Kathmandu valley.

A Social Comparison Perspective to Investigating the Influence of Social Media on Employee Creativity

Previous research evident that social media provides a platform to individuals social comparison, namely social comparison on social media (USC-SM). Drawing from social comparison theory, this study explores the creative consequences of such USC-SM, focusing on the underlying mechanism of emotional exhaustion. Additionally, the study examines how social media dependency influences these emotional experiences resulting from USC-SM. Results of data collected from 435 employees and their supervisors through a multi-source, two-wave survey reveal that employees who engage in USC-SM platforms tend to experience emotional exhaustion, thereby detrimentally impacting their creativity. Furthermore, this research found that the extent of an employee’s dependence on social media for work tasks serves as moderator which strengthens the underlying relationship. This study makes a significant contribution to the existing literature on social media use and its effect on employee creativity. Theoretical contributions and practical guidelines are discussed in the subsequent sections.

Google news initiative innovation challenge in Latin America: business models between path dependence and power relations

ABSTRACT In response to growing regulatory pressures, tech companies have partnered with media organizations to support news production through programs, grants, and financial aid for journalism. Notably, the Google News Initiative (GNI) Innovation Challenge has invested millions in Latin American news projects. This study explores the characteristics of these projects and their impact on the business models of Latin American media organizations. By examining project descriptions, a typology clarifies the connection between these initiatives and their effects on publishers’ business models. This analysis is complemented by 20 semi-structured interviews conducted from January 2020 to March 2023 with key regional informants. Results show three types of projects emerging through the GNI Innovation Challenge: audience-building, revenue generation, and technological innovation. It becomes evident that these media organizations are trapped in a dependent cycle, significantly contributing to their challenges in establishing sustainable business models. Furthermore, the study suggests that media organizations perceive these grants as a temporary financial resource, enabling them to hire additional staff and implement technological advancements within their newsrooms for a short time. Meanwhile, Google exerts its influence across the media industry by promoting cutting-edge technologies, which increases media dependence on its infrastructure. Ultimately, this research highlights the complex dynamics between big tech firms and the news industry, raising questions about the journalism sustainability and the potential consequences of its path dependence and capture by platforms.

Typology and impact of follower responses to social media influencer “promotional crisis”

AbstractThis study introduces a typology of follower responses to seemingly deceptive promotional content by a social media influencer (SMI) and the effects of those responses on observers. Through a large‐scale, mixed‐methods analysis of an influencer's “promotional crisis” in early 2023, popularly known as “Mascaragate” on TikTok, we identified follower engagement types that potentially harm both SMI and the promoted brand. The crisis sparked an unusually high level of network activity, providing valuable insights into the ripple effects of follower reactions. Drawing on parasocial relationship theory and social capital theory, we proposed that interactions between influencers and their followers, as well as among followers, evolve systematically through linguistic and social cues. These interactions can shift the original meaning of the influencer's message, leading to unintended consequences for both SMI and the brand. Through netnography and k‐means cluster analysis, we identified three distinct clusters of followers with unique attitudes toward the post and SMI. One group (i.e., “Type 1”) was particularly adept at reshaping the meaning of the SMI post through rational engagement with other followers. A subsequent experiment assessed the impact of each group's comments on the observers within a broader community network, focusing on credibility, skepticism, and the impact of social media dependency. The findings offer practical tools for brands and SMIs to analyze follower comment patterns and suggest strategies for addressing crises stemming from SMI‐linked promotional content, ultimately helping to preserve brand reputation and trust.

Predictors of health preventive behavior among university students in the post-COVID-19 era in Wuhan via TikTok journeying

TikTok has become increasingly popular among young people in China and there is growing number of young people who start to pay great attention to their health through this platform. Wuhan is a significant location for this study, since it was the initial epicenter of COVID-19. However, little is known about the extent to which university students in Wuhan, China, rely on TikTok for health-related information and how this affects their preventive health actions in the post-COVID-19 era. Therefore, it is crucial to look into the direct effects of TikTok users’ search for health information and their actions to protect their health, as well as the mediating functions of e-health literacy and COVID-19 risk perception. The impact of TikTok as a social media platform on the health-related behaviors of university students was examined using the Media Dependency Theory which explains how media use can have significant effects on individuals’ attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors. 426 questionnaires were gathered by cluster sampling from a sample of Wuhan university students. Mplus8 was used to perform structural equation modelling, which looked at the relationships between these variables. The results showed a positive correlation between users’ TikTok health information seeking and their health preventive behavior (β = 0.303, p < 0.001). Furthermore, it was discovered that this relationship is mediated by e-health literacy and COVID-19 risk perception in series (β =0.029, p<0.001). The findings demonstrate how TikTok functions as a platform that supports university students’ efforts to protect their health. The results also imply that students’ post-COVID-19 preventive measures for health in search of health information on TikTok are significantly influenced by their e-health literacy as well as their perception of COVID-19 danger. By obtaining more accurate health-related information, university students are equipped with more health skills and have correct attitude towards the disease. In summary, these results advance the knowledge of how TikTok, a social media platform, affects the health-related behaviors of university students.

Nigerian Audience Views on Mainstream Media and Moulding of Public Opinion in the 21st Century

The mass media have been long known to shape and mould public opinion in every human society. However, with the influence of web 2.0 technologies that have affected mainstream journalism practice in the 21st century, this study investigated the extent to which mainstream media still mould public opinion in Nigeria. The paper was anchored on agenda-setting and media dependency theories as it investigated journalism’s ability to mould the views of people on issues of public concern. The survey research design was used where the multi-stage sampling technique was adopted and an online Australian Calculator was used to draw the sample size of 371, the questionnaire was deployed as the instrument for data collection. The results among other things revealed that, though social media and blogs’ usage have influenced mass media and public communication generally, mainstream journalism still moulds public opinion in Nigeria. This was revealed as respondents disclosed that in making decisions, they believe and use more information they obtained from mainstream media platforms than information they got from blogs and social media sites. Keywords: blogs, information, mainstream media, public opinion, public agenda, social media

The Role of Instagram in Promoting Mental Health Awareness and Help-Seeking Attitudes Among Malaysian University Students

This study investigates the effect of Instagram (IG) usage for seeking mental health information and emotional support on help-seeking attitudes via mental health awareness among university students in Perak, Malaysia. Utilizing the Media Dependency Theory, a quantitative approach was adopted with data collected from 364 undergraduate students at Sultan Idris Education University (UPSI) and MARA University of Technology (UiTM) through a 44-item questionnaire. Descriptive analysis and Structural Equation Modelling were conducted to analyze the data. Findings indicated moderate IG usage for seeking mental health information and emotional support, high mental health awareness, and positive help-seeking attitudes. Specifically, IG usage for mental health information indirectly influenced help-seeking attitudes through mental health awareness, while seeking emotional support had a direct effect but was not mediated by mental health awareness. The study reveals that despite the predominant use of IG for entertainment, a significant portion of students also engaged with the platform for mental health-related purposes. This engagement contributes to their overall awareness of mental health issues and their willingness to seek help. The implications of these findings suggest that IG can be an effective platform for mental health promotion among university students. These findings suggest strategies for social media accounts promoting mental health to enhance engagement and spread awareness, particularly among Malaysian university students, to mitigate the stigma around help-seeking. Keywords: Instagram (IG) usage, mental health awareness, help-seeking attitudes, emotional support, university students.

The Relationship Between Short Video Social Media Dependency, Negative Emotional Experiences, and Academic Procrastination among College Students

According to the 52nd "Statistical Report on Internet Development in China," as of June 2023, the number of short video users in China has reached a massive 1.026 billion, an increase of 14.54 million compared to December 2022, accounting for 95.2% of the total internet users. Smartphone dependence, especially on short video social media, significantly impacts students' negative emotions and academic procrastination. Studies have found that dependency on short video social media often leads to poor time management, distraction, and academic procrastination. Negative emotions such as anxiety and depression weaken self-efficacy, increasing procrastination on tasks. Research data indicate that female college students score significantly higher in academic procrastination than male students, and arts students score higher than those in liberal arts and science/engineering fields, although the difference is not significant. Negative emotional experiences have a significant positive impact on academic procrastination, suggesting that negative emotions increase the tendency to procrastinate. Meanwhile, negative emotional experiences do not act as a mediating variable between short video social media dependency and academic procrastination, indicating that short video usage may directly influence academic procrastination rather than indirectly through negative emotions. The study suggests focusing on the direct impact of short video usage on college students' negative emotions and academic procrastination, emphasizing emotional regulation and time management education to mitigate the negative effects of academic procrastination on students' mental health and academic performance.

How social media exposure constructs social confidence: An empirical study on impact, mechanisms, and multilateral relationships.

Social confidence functions as a vital spiritual force in fostering the positive and healthy evolution of society. This paper explores how social media exposure contributes to the construction of social confidence within the framework of Media-system Dependency Theory. The research unveils the following key findings: (1) Social media exposure positively facilitates social confidence; (2) Group efficacy and group cohesion, perceived as manifestations of cognitive divergence between "efficacy" and "collective" within collective efficacy, both serve as mediating mechanisms influencing the impact of social media exposure on social confidence. The Channel Testing of Causality confirms that group cohesion plays a significantly more crucial role as a pathway compared to group efficacy; (3) The differentiated impact of social media exposure, encompassing Tencent WeChat and Sina Weibo, materializes in distinct components of social confidence and follows different influence pathways.

How Does New Media Shape the Sense of Belonging and Social Identity? The Social and Psychological Processes of Sustainable Successful Reintegration for Rehabilitated People

Objective: This study aims to explore the role of new media in shaping the social identity and reintegration of rehabilitated individuals (ex-offenders), given the increasing societal attention on their successful reintegration. The objective is to analyze how media dependency and social identity formation contribute to their sustainable reintegration into society. Methods: Conducted in 2022–2023, the study adopted a narrative research paradigm. It employed qualitative methods, including in-depth interviews and participant observation, to investigate the decision-making processes of rehabilitated people under social adaptation pressures. The analysis was framed by media dependency theory and the two-dimensional model of social identity (Evaluation-Relationship). Results: The findings reveal that media dependency significantly enhances the construction of rehabilitated individuals’ social identity, aiding in their successful reintegration. The process of media dependency facilitates emotional support, providing an important outlet for resolving ambivalences in identity during the reintegration process. Moreover, media dependency strengthens the positive impact of new media on identity formation, thereby supporting sustainable reintegration into society. Conclusions: This study underscores the practical importance of media in identity reconstruction for rehabilitated individuals. The findings offer insights for policymakers to design more inclusive media policies that reduce stigmatization. Additionally, the results provide valuable guidance for social workers and counselors in leveraging new media to offer emotional support and identity reconstruction. Future research should examine identity formation in diverse socio-cultural contexts to further understand how new media can support sustainable reintegration.

The effect of social media engagement on social integration of elderly migrants in China: the mechanism of perceived social support and psychological resilience

Surging numbers of older parents have migrated with adult children to developed urban areas under China’s internal family migration, experiencing several difficulties in social integration in local society. Social media has become an essential tool for older adults to gather information, socialize, and entertain. However, few studies have focused on the relationship between social media use and social integration among older migrants and the underlying psychological mechanisms. Drawing on the Media system dependency (MSD) theory and the Stress-buffering hypothesis, this study developed and tested a conceptual research model by conducting a cross-sectional online survey study (N = 1001). The results indicate that understanding and orientation, rather than entertainment, are two primary motivations for trailing parents to use social media. The activeness of social media engagement (exposure condition), rather than the intensity of social media use (selective exposure), can positively influence the social integration of older migrants. Psychological resilience cannot mediate the relationship between social media engagement and social integration, which is proved to be mainly achieved through perceived social support and the partial chain mediation of perceived social support and psychological resilience. These findings shed theoretical and practical light on the design of older migrant-friendly social media apps and the efforts of adult children and communities to enhance the social integration of older internal migrants through social media engagement.

The role of inflammatory movies in shaping Islamophobia and destination animosity

ABSTRACT In an increasingly globalised world, tourism is a powerful medium for cultural exchange and understanding. However, it is also a realm where negative stereotypes can manifest. Movies with inflammatory content can create infractions and evoke emotions which can manifest towards cultures, religions and traditions. Although the effects of storylines on destinations have been widely studied, the studies examining the effects of inflammatory movies towards destinations remain scant. Our study explains the formation of Islamophobia via imitation and modelling by using media dependency theory as a theoretical template. We used multi-group analysis to study the effects of inflammatory movie on two groups based on exposure to the movie. Our results revealed higher levels of Islamophobia among participants who were exposed to an inflammatory movie titled ‘The Kashmir Files.’ The study enriches media dependency theory and provides insights to destination stakeholders about the effects of inflammatory storylines towards destinations.

A Study on the Influence and Countermeasures of Online Media on Post-00s College Students' Views on Marriage and Childbearing from the Perspective of Media Dependence Theory —Based on H University

A Study on the Influence and Countermeasures of Online Media on Post-00s College Students' Views on Marriage and Childbearing from the Perspective of Media Dependence Theory —Based on H University

The Effect of Mothers’ Smartphone Addiction on Children’s Media Dependency: Sequentially Mediated by Mothers’ Work-Family Strains and Parental Monitoring

Smart devices have become an essential part of human life; however, excessive dependency on these devices has become a serious issue for both children and adults. In this study, a research model was developed which hypothesized that mothers’ smartphone addiction influences children’s media dependency, and that this effect is sequentially mediated by mothers’ work-family strains and parental monitoring. To test this hypothesis, an analysis of data from the 13th Wave of Panel Study on Korean Children (PSKC), conducted in 2020, was performed. The data were collected from 726 children (359 boys, 367 girls) with an average age of 12.23 years (SD=.30). The analysis was conducted using SPSS 27.0 and Process MACRO Ver. 4.2. The results were as follows. Maternal smartphone addiction increased mothers’ work-family strains, which in turn lowered the level of parental monitoring, which was associated with an increase in children’s media dependency. Furthermore, mothers’ smartphone addiction had a partial mediation effect on children’s media dependency. In sum, this study revealed that the mothers’ smartphone addiction increased children’s media dependency, and this effect was sequentially mediated by an increase in mothers’ work-family strains and a decrease in parental monitoring. This study verifies that mothers’ smart device usage as well as their working environment has a significant effect on children’s media dependency. Therefore, to increase parental monitoring of children’s media usage, mothers’ work-family strains need to be reduced.

The relationship between social media dependency and psychological distress due to misunderstanding and fear of COVID-19 in medical students

Improper use of social media during the COVID-19 outbreak, leading to fear and misunderstanding, can contribute to psychological disorders in vulnerable populations. This descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study was conducted in 2023 on 511 medical students of Babol University of Medical Sciences. Data were collected using demographic, psychological distress, fear and misunderstanding questionnaires related to COVID-19 and social media dependency. A total of 511 medical students, with an average age of Mean and S.D; 23.57 ± 3.03 participated in the study. The average psychological distress score was 23.82 ± 7.73 (out of 54), the average score of social media dependency was 17.53 ± 3.09 (out of 30), for the fear of COVID-19 was12.63 ± 2.56 (out of 35), and for the misperception of COVID-19 was 0.53 ± 0.09 (out of 18). Path analysis results) showed that direct path from improper use of social media to psychological distress is significant (P < 0.001, B = 0.19) but this relationship is not significant through fear and misperception related to COVID-19. Improper use of social media, identified as the strongest predictor, can directly increase psychological distress in medical students, without mediation through fear and misperception related to COVID-19. These findings should be taken into consideration when designing and evaluating interventions aimed at promoting mental health and fostering appropriate use of social media among students during disease outbreaks.

The Influence of Social Media on Judicial Independence

Purpose: This study sought to analyze the influence of social media on judicial independence. Methodology: The study adopted a desktop research methodology. Desk research refers to secondary data or that which can be collected without fieldwork. Desk research is basically involved in collecting data from existing resources hence it is often considered a low cost technique as compared to field research, as the main cost is involved in executive’s time, telephone charges and directories. Thus, the study relied on already published studies, reports and statistics. This secondary data was easily accessed through the online journals and library. Findings: The findings reveal that there exists a contextual and methodological gap relating to the influence of social media on judicial independence. Preliminary empirical review revealed that social media exerted considerable pressure on judicial processes, potentially compromising judges' independence due to increased scrutiny and criticism. It found that misinformation and sensationalism on social media significantly eroded public trust in the judiciary, leading to distorted perceptions of judicial fairness. Judges were often influenced, consciously or subconsciously, by social media discourse, affecting their decision-making processes. The study highlighted the need for ongoing attention and research to understand and mitigate these influences, ensuring the preservation and strengthening of judicial independence in the digital age. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: The Social Silence Theory, Media Dependency Theory and Spiral of Silence Theory may be used to anchor future studies on judicial independence. The study recommended developing comprehensive guidelines for judges' social media engagement to maintain impartiality, and emphasized the need for further research into the psychological impact of social media on judges. It advocated for judicial education and training programs focused on digital literacy and stress management, and suggested establishing institutional support systems for judges facing social media pressures. Additionally, it recommended proactive engagement of judicial institutions with the public through social media to build trust and counteract misinformation. Continuous research and monitoring of social media's impact on the judiciary were also advised to adapt and implement effective strategies proactively.

Internet addiction in late adolescence: profile and patterns of use

Introduction: Cross-sectional school-based epidemiological survey, conducted in 2016 and 2017, from a representative sample of 15 to 19-year-old students enrolled in the Greater Vitória Metropolitan Region (RMGV-ES), Espírito Santo, Brazil. Objectives: To verify the association between Internet Addiction, sociodemographic characteristics and the pattern of Internet and social media use. Methods: Cross-sectional study with 2293 students. The sociodemographic data of the individuals and information on internet and social media dependence were verified using the Internet Addiction Test (IAT). Frequencies were calculated and Chi-square and Binomial Logistic Regression tests were applied. Results: Internet addiction was associated with adolescents in the early years (p = 0.001), those with less-educated household heads (p = 0.018), and those who spent four or more hours a day surfing the internet (p &lt; 0.001) and those who used the Internet every day of the week (p = 0.004). Internet addiction was also associated with the use of Twitter (p-value = 0.040), subjective reasons for use (p = 0.001) and those who stopped using it for social reasons (p = 0.001). Conclusion: Public policies that envision the education of adolescents and their families, as well as protection focused on the most susceptible individuals, should be developed. Therefore, it is necessary to prevent adolescents from having daily access to the Internet, not exceeding four hours of use, in order to reduce the risk of dependence and protect the individual from this situation.

Prevalence of Fake News in Relation to the Responsible Netizenship of University of Luzon Criminology Students

Fake News is used to deceive people. It is an act of spreading misinformation or wrong information intentionally to misguide others to gain financial returns or political gains. For them to become law enforcers in the future, the researcher was interested in how responsible criminology students are as netizens in today’s cyberspace in terms of their capacity to spot fake news and strategies to stop it from spreading. The researcher applied the Media Dependency Theory introduced by the American communication researcher Sandra Ball-Rokeach and Melvin Defleur, it is a systematic approach to the study of the effects of mass media on audiences and of the interaction between media, audiences, and social systems. For the data collection instrument, the researcher used a dichotomous formula or simply the percentage scale to interpret the results of the answers to the given questionnaire by 288 respondents who are all criminology students. The study is premised on the conjecture of the following: 1. Fake news is prevalent online; 2. The responsibility and awareness of UL criminology students in terms of netiquettes, political manipulation, and bias in story selection; 3. Internet etiquettes (netiquettes) of UL criminology students; 4. The significant relationship between responsible citizenship and the prevalence of fake news. 5. Measures to lessen the spread of fake news

The effects of tourists’ digital attachment on behavioural intention in live-streaming tourism

ABSTRACT Live-streaming tourism emerged as an innovative form of socio-technical tourism. This research explores the nexus between the digital technology experiences of tourists engaged in live-streaming tourism and behavioural intentions. Study 1 relied on social media dependence theory to analyze the impact of digital attachment on usage intention and explored tourists’ willingness to use digital technology. The results indicate that digital attachment comprises digital addiction, self-connection with digital technology, digital involvement, and social connection through digital technology. Study 2 blended trust and risk theory and technology acceptance models to strengthen these insights through a quantitative study involving tourists in live-streaming tourism. The results show that tourists’ perceived value (usefulness and ease of use) mediates the relationship between tourists’ digital attachment and behavioural intention. Despite the risks encountered in live-streaming tourism, results suggest that these risks do not significantly sway tourists’ behavioural intentions. The research highlights that the engagement and connection achieved via participation in live-streaming tourism can lessen perceived risks and bolster subjective trust, thus influencing their behavioural intentions.

What and Where Do I Learn About the Baby Formula Shortage Crisis? Exploring Crisis Communication Patterns, Influencers, and Information Resources

ABSTRACT The baby formula shortage escalated into a national public health crisis, spurring a public discussion on social media. As media dependency theory suggests, people likely turn to information resources they prefer. This study examined 22,055 X posts related to the baby formula shortage. By calculating 17,484 X accounts’ betweenness centrality, this article identified 20 X influencers who controlled the information flow of the baby formula shortage crisis. Crisis communication patterns were unpacked by analyzing the content of popular links shared in the network and generated by the top influencers. Most influencers are mass media, media professionals, and politicians. The frequently shared content was primarily published in mass media outlets like Fox News and Vox. Active influencers focused on the crisis information of reshelving baby formula products, responses to the shortage, and political critiques. This study extends the current literature by tracking the crisis information resources and comparing and analyzing crisis information shared in the whole network and shared by crisis influencers. It offers theoretical and practical implications for managing crises and correcting misinformation.