Impact of Social Media Usage on Marital Conflict and Mental Well-Being Among Married Adults: Role of Social Comparison

Abstract

The present study included 330 married individuals, aged 20 and above, from Islamabad & Rawalpindi using social media and were selected to explore the relationship between social media usage, marital conflict, and the mental well-being of the married individuals, wherein social comparison is hypothesized as a mediator. The following scales were used to collect data: a Demographic Sheet, the Social Media Use Scale, Social Comparison Scale, Relationship Dynamics Scale, and the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale. The results showed that there was a positive correlation between the use of social media and social comparison. Both were, in turn, related to marital conflict positively and to mental well-being negatively. The results of the regression showed that social media use positively predicted social comparison and marital conflict, in addition to predicting negative mental well-being, which was the same. Additionally a mediation model showed that social comparison mediated the relationship between social media use and marital conflict and mental health. An independent-samples t-test indicated that men used social media more than women, while a one-way ANOVA showed no differences across age groups. Length of marriage significantly affected only social media usage, with those married 6–8 years reporting higher use. Few socio-demographic differences were found overall. Lower socio-economic groups used social media more and experienced greater marital conflict. These findings emphasize the importance of raising awareness about social media use and digital skills to protect marital relationships and psychological well-being.