Relationship between social media usage and emotional intelligence among adolescents

Pages: 581-584
Heena Kaura (Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Punjab)
Sarita Saini (Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Punjab)

The present study aimed to investigate the relationship and gender differences between social media usage and emotional intelligence among adolescents. The sample comprised 200 adolescents (100 males, 100 females) in the age range of 16 to 18 years drawn from four randomly selected Government Senior Secondary schools of Ludhiana city. A Self- structured Social Media Usage Questionnaire and Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire (London Leadership Academy, 2016) was used to collect relevant information from respondents. SPSS was used for the statistical analysis of the collected data and Pearson coefficient of correlation as well as Z–values was computed to arrive at some logical findings. As per the results of the study it was highlighted that majority of boys were ‘high level’ social media users whereas girls were using social media at ‘low level’. No significant gender differences were observed across different domains and levels of Emotional Intelligence. However, social media usage was found to be significantly positively correlated with ‘empathy’ dimension of Emotional Intelligence as well as ‘overall’ Emotional Intelligence.