A qualitative study which looks at the influence of social media usage on self-esteem, amongst Maltese undergraduate students

Abstract

This qualitative study aims to investigate the relationship between social media usage and self-esteem among Maltese undergraduate students, particularly students from the University of Malta. “Social media usage has become increasingly prevalent among university students, and the impact of this phenomenon on their psychological well-being has received growing attention in recent literature studies. The study aims to explore the experiences and perceptions of Maltese undergraduate students regarding the influence of social media on their self-esteem, and also the factors that exacerbate or mitigate this impact. The study also examined the differences and similarities between male and female students, as well as students from different academic disciplines. The participants chosen for this study ranged from 20 to 24 years of age and included both females and males. Data was collected through semi – structured interviews with a purposive sample of undergraduate students who use social media daily, and data was analyzed using a thematic analysis approach. This study provided valuable insights on the relationship between social media usage and self-esteem, responses indicated that self esteem is impacted by social media in general. The study also highlights gender differences in the way social media is used.