HRPYC81
Project 4 Assignment 3 2025
RESEARCH PROPOSAL
Unique number:
Due Date: 2025
RESEARCH PROPOSAL
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SOCIAL MEDIA USE AND HAPPINESS:
EXAMINING THE IMPACT OF ACTIVE ENGAGEMENT AND USAGE INTENSITY IN A
SOUTH AFRICAN CONTEXT
1. INTRODUCTION
In today’s digital society, the pursuit of happiness has taken a new form through
interactions on social media platforms. Happiness, traditionally associated with personal
achievements, relationships, and life satisfaction, is increasingly influenced by online
activities and social validation (Haidt, 2006; Seligman, 2011). In the South African
context, where social inequality and mental health challenges are widespread,
understanding how social media affects happiness becomes especially important (David
et al., 2014). With millions of South Africans using platforms like Facebook, WhatsApp,
and TikTok daily, it is crucial to explore how these platforms shape users’ well-being.
Terms of use
Research By making use of this
on the impact of social media use on happiness presents mixed results. Some document you agree to:
Use this document as a guide for learning, comparison and reference purpose,
Terms of use
Not to duplicate, reproduce and/or misrepresent the contents of this document as your own work,
By making use of this document you agree to:
document
Use this Fully accept the consequences
solely as a guide forshould you plagiarise
learning, reference,or and
misuse this document.
comparison purposes,
Ensure originality of your own work, and fully accept the consequences should you plagiarise or misuse this document.
Comply with all relevant standards, guidelines, regulations, and legislation governing academic and written work.
Disclaimer
Great care has been taken in the preparation of this document; however, the contents are provided "as is" without any express or
implied representations or warranties. The author accepts no responsibility or liability for any actions taken based on the
information contained within this document. This document is intended solely for comparison, research, and reference purposes.
Reproduction, resale, or transmission of any part of this document, in any form or by any means, is strictly prohibited.
, +27 67 171 1739
RESEARCH PROPOSAL
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SOCIAL MEDIA USE AND HAPPINESS:
EXAMINING THE IMPACT OF ACTIVE ENGAGEMENT AND USAGE INTENSITY
IN A SOUTH AFRICAN CONTEXT
1. INTRODUCTION
In today’s digital society, the pursuit of happiness has taken a new form through
interactions on social media platforms. Happiness, traditionally associated with
personal achievements, relationships, and life satisfaction, is increasingly influenced
by online activities and social validation (Haidt, 2006; Seligman, 2011). In the South
African context, where social inequality and mental health challenges are
widespread, understanding how social media affects happiness becomes especially
important (David et al., 2014). With millions of South Africans using platforms like
Facebook, WhatsApp, and TikTok daily, it is crucial to explore how these platforms
shape users’ well-being.
Research on the impact of social media use on happiness presents mixed results.
Some findings indicate that excessive digital engagement reduces psychological
well-being (Twenge et al., 2018; Twenge & Campbell, 2019), while others suggest
that certain online behaviours, such as active communication and positive feedback,
can boost happiness (Marciano et al., 2024; Verduyn et al., 2017). However, the
influence of specific factors—such as the motivation behind social media use and the
quality of online experiences—remains unclear and underexplored in local studies.
This research proposal seeks to investigate how motivation for social media use and
the nature of social media experiences (positive or negative) affect subjective well-
being. These two predictor variables will be examined within the framework of
positive psychology and the need for social connection (Baumeister & Leary, 1995).
The study will use a cross-sectional online survey to explore these relationships
among adult South Africans, contributing to a better understanding of digital
happiness in a South African setting.
2. LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Introduction
Disclaimer
Great care has been taken in the preparation of this document; however, the contents are provided "as is"
without any express or implied representations or warranties. The author accepts no responsibility or
liability for any actions taken based on the information contained within this document. This document is
intended solely for comparison, research, and reference purposes. Reproduction, resale, or transmission
of any part of this document, in any form or by any means, is strictly prohibited.
Project 4 Assignment 3 2025
RESEARCH PROPOSAL
Unique number:
Due Date: 2025
RESEARCH PROPOSAL
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SOCIAL MEDIA USE AND HAPPINESS:
EXAMINING THE IMPACT OF ACTIVE ENGAGEMENT AND USAGE INTENSITY IN A
SOUTH AFRICAN CONTEXT
1. INTRODUCTION
In today’s digital society, the pursuit of happiness has taken a new form through
interactions on social media platforms. Happiness, traditionally associated with personal
achievements, relationships, and life satisfaction, is increasingly influenced by online
activities and social validation (Haidt, 2006; Seligman, 2011). In the South African
context, where social inequality and mental health challenges are widespread,
understanding how social media affects happiness becomes especially important (David
et al., 2014). With millions of South Africans using platforms like Facebook, WhatsApp,
and TikTok daily, it is crucial to explore how these platforms shape users’ well-being.
Terms of use
Research By making use of this
on the impact of social media use on happiness presents mixed results. Some document you agree to:
Use this document as a guide for learning, comparison and reference purpose,
Terms of use
Not to duplicate, reproduce and/or misrepresent the contents of this document as your own work,
By making use of this document you agree to:
document
Use this Fully accept the consequences
solely as a guide forshould you plagiarise
learning, reference,or and
misuse this document.
comparison purposes,
Ensure originality of your own work, and fully accept the consequences should you plagiarise or misuse this document.
Comply with all relevant standards, guidelines, regulations, and legislation governing academic and written work.
Disclaimer
Great care has been taken in the preparation of this document; however, the contents are provided "as is" without any express or
implied representations or warranties. The author accepts no responsibility or liability for any actions taken based on the
information contained within this document. This document is intended solely for comparison, research, and reference purposes.
Reproduction, resale, or transmission of any part of this document, in any form or by any means, is strictly prohibited.
, +27 67 171 1739
RESEARCH PROPOSAL
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SOCIAL MEDIA USE AND HAPPINESS:
EXAMINING THE IMPACT OF ACTIVE ENGAGEMENT AND USAGE INTENSITY
IN A SOUTH AFRICAN CONTEXT
1. INTRODUCTION
In today’s digital society, the pursuit of happiness has taken a new form through
interactions on social media platforms. Happiness, traditionally associated with
personal achievements, relationships, and life satisfaction, is increasingly influenced
by online activities and social validation (Haidt, 2006; Seligman, 2011). In the South
African context, where social inequality and mental health challenges are
widespread, understanding how social media affects happiness becomes especially
important (David et al., 2014). With millions of South Africans using platforms like
Facebook, WhatsApp, and TikTok daily, it is crucial to explore how these platforms
shape users’ well-being.
Research on the impact of social media use on happiness presents mixed results.
Some findings indicate that excessive digital engagement reduces psychological
well-being (Twenge et al., 2018; Twenge & Campbell, 2019), while others suggest
that certain online behaviours, such as active communication and positive feedback,
can boost happiness (Marciano et al., 2024; Verduyn et al., 2017). However, the
influence of specific factors—such as the motivation behind social media use and the
quality of online experiences—remains unclear and underexplored in local studies.
This research proposal seeks to investigate how motivation for social media use and
the nature of social media experiences (positive or negative) affect subjective well-
being. These two predictor variables will be examined within the framework of
positive psychology and the need for social connection (Baumeister & Leary, 1995).
The study will use a cross-sectional online survey to explore these relationships
among adult South Africans, contributing to a better understanding of digital
happiness in a South African setting.
2. LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Introduction
Disclaimer
Great care has been taken in the preparation of this document; however, the contents are provided "as is"
without any express or implied representations or warranties. The author accepts no responsibility or
liability for any actions taken based on the information contained within this document. This document is
intended solely for comparison, research, and reference purposes. Reproduction, resale, or transmission
of any part of this document, in any form or by any means, is strictly prohibited.
