HRPYC81
Project 4 Assignment 16 2025
Unique Number:
Due date: October 2025
FINAL RESEARCH PROPOSAL
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SOCIAL MEDIA USE AND HAPPINESS: EXAMINING
THE IMPACT OF ACTIVE ENGAGEMENT AND USAGE INTENSITY IN A SOUTH
AFRICAN CONTEXT
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ABSTRACT .................................................................................................................4
1. INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................................5
2. LITERATURE REVIEW ..........................................................................................5
2.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................5
2.2 Conceptualising Happiness ...............................................................................6
2.2.1 Dimensions and Definitions .........................................................................6
2.2.2 Measurement Approaches ..........................................................................7
2.3 Psychological Factors that Influence Happiness ...............................................7
2.3.1 Belonging and Social Bonds........................................................................7
2.3.2 Self-Esteem and Validation .........................................................................7
2.3.3 Meaning and Purpose .................................................................................7
DISCLAIMER & TERMS OF USE
Educational Aid: These study notes are intended to be used as educational resources and should not be seen as a
replacement for individual research, critical analysis, or professional consultation. Students are encouraged to perform
their own research and seek advice from their instructors or academic advisors for specific assignment guidelines.
Personal Responsibility: While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information in
these study notes, the seller does not guarantee the completeness or correctness of all content. The buyer is
responsible for verifying the accuracy of the information and exercising their own judgment when applying it to their
assignments.
Academic Integrity: It is essential for students to maintain academic integrity and follow their institution's policies
regarding plagiarism, citation, and referencing. These study notes should be used as learning tools and sources of
inspiration. Any direct reproduction of the content without proper citation and acknowledgment may be considered
academic misconduct.
Limited Liability: The seller shall not be liable for any direct or indirect damages, losses, or consequences arising from
the use of these notes. This includes, but is not limited to, poor academic performance, penalties, or any other negative
consequences resulting from the application or misuse of the information provided.
, For additional support +27 81 278 3372
FINAL RESEARCH PROPOSAL
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SOCIAL MEDIA USE AND HAPPINESS:
EXAMINING THE IMPACT OF ACTIVE ENGAGEMENT AND USAGE INTENSITY
IN A SOUTH AFRICAN CONTEXT
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ABSTRACT ................................................................................................................ 4
1. INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................... 5
2. LITERATURE REVIEW .......................................................................................... 5
2.1 Introduction ....................................................................................................... 5
2.2 Conceptualising Happiness............................................................................... 6
2.2.1 Dimensions and Definitions ........................................................................ 6
2.2.2 Measurement Approaches .......................................................................... 7
2.3 Psychological Factors that Influence Happiness ............................................... 7
2.3.1 Belonging and Social Bonds ....................................................................... 7
2.3.2 Self-Esteem and Validation......................................................................... 7
2.3.3 Meaning and Purpose ................................................................................. 7
2.3.4 Social Comparison ...................................................................................... 8
2.3.5 Resilience and Coping ................................................................................ 8
2.4 Social Media Use and Happiness ..................................................................... 8
2.4.1 Active vs. Passive Use................................................................................ 8
2.4.2 Duration and Intensity of Use...................................................................... 9
2.5 The Importance of Context: Why South Africa Matters ..................................... 9
2.5.1 Technological Gaps and Digital Inclusion ................................................... 9
2.5.2 Cultural Influences on Happiness and Social Media ................................. 10
2.6 Research Hypotheses ..................................................................................... 10
3. RESEARCH METHOD ......................................................................................... 11
4. ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS ............................................................................. 11
4.1 Informed Consent ........................................................................................... 11
4.2 Right to Withdraw ............................................................................................ 12
4.3 Confidentiality and Anonymity ......................................................................... 12
4.4 Minimising Harm ............................................................................................. 12
4.5 Data Integrity................................................................................................... 12
5. PARTICIPANTS ................................................................................................... 13
6. PROCEDURE ...................................................................................................... 13
, For additional support +27 81 278 3372
7. MEASUREMENTS ............................................................................................... 14
7.1. Active and Passive Social Media Use ............................................................ 14
7.2. Intensity of Social Media Use ......................................................................... 15
7.3. Happiness (Subjective Well-Being) ................................................................ 15
8. DATA ANALYSIS ................................................................................................. 16
9. RESULTS ............................................................................................................. 17
9.1. Preliminary Analysis ....................................................................................... 17
9.2. Main Analyses ................................................................................................ 17
9.2.1. Hypothesis 1 ............................................................................................ 17
9.2.2. Hypothesis 2 ............................................................................................ 18
9.3. Summary of Results ....................................................................................... 19
10. DISCUSSION ..................................................................................................... 20
10.1. Support of Original Hypotheses ................................................................... 20
10.2. Similarity of Results to Previous Research .................................................. 20
10.3. Limitations .................................................................................................... 21
10.4. Contributions ................................................................................................ 22
10.5. Implications .................................................................................................. 22
11. CONCLUSION ................................................................................................... 23
12. REFERENCES ................................................................................................... 24
Project 4 Assignment 16 2025
Unique Number:
Due date: October 2025
FINAL RESEARCH PROPOSAL
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SOCIAL MEDIA USE AND HAPPINESS: EXAMINING
THE IMPACT OF ACTIVE ENGAGEMENT AND USAGE INTENSITY IN A SOUTH
AFRICAN CONTEXT
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ABSTRACT .................................................................................................................4
1. INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................................5
2. LITERATURE REVIEW ..........................................................................................5
2.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................5
2.2 Conceptualising Happiness ...............................................................................6
2.2.1 Dimensions and Definitions .........................................................................6
2.2.2 Measurement Approaches ..........................................................................7
2.3 Psychological Factors that Influence Happiness ...............................................7
2.3.1 Belonging and Social Bonds........................................................................7
2.3.2 Self-Esteem and Validation .........................................................................7
2.3.3 Meaning and Purpose .................................................................................7
DISCLAIMER & TERMS OF USE
Educational Aid: These study notes are intended to be used as educational resources and should not be seen as a
replacement for individual research, critical analysis, or professional consultation. Students are encouraged to perform
their own research and seek advice from their instructors or academic advisors for specific assignment guidelines.
Personal Responsibility: While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information in
these study notes, the seller does not guarantee the completeness or correctness of all content. The buyer is
responsible for verifying the accuracy of the information and exercising their own judgment when applying it to their
assignments.
Academic Integrity: It is essential for students to maintain academic integrity and follow their institution's policies
regarding plagiarism, citation, and referencing. These study notes should be used as learning tools and sources of
inspiration. Any direct reproduction of the content without proper citation and acknowledgment may be considered
academic misconduct.
Limited Liability: The seller shall not be liable for any direct or indirect damages, losses, or consequences arising from
the use of these notes. This includes, but is not limited to, poor academic performance, penalties, or any other negative
consequences resulting from the application or misuse of the information provided.
, For additional support +27 81 278 3372
FINAL RESEARCH PROPOSAL
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SOCIAL MEDIA USE AND HAPPINESS:
EXAMINING THE IMPACT OF ACTIVE ENGAGEMENT AND USAGE INTENSITY
IN A SOUTH AFRICAN CONTEXT
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ABSTRACT ................................................................................................................ 4
1. INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................... 5
2. LITERATURE REVIEW .......................................................................................... 5
2.1 Introduction ....................................................................................................... 5
2.2 Conceptualising Happiness............................................................................... 6
2.2.1 Dimensions and Definitions ........................................................................ 6
2.2.2 Measurement Approaches .......................................................................... 7
2.3 Psychological Factors that Influence Happiness ............................................... 7
2.3.1 Belonging and Social Bonds ....................................................................... 7
2.3.2 Self-Esteem and Validation......................................................................... 7
2.3.3 Meaning and Purpose ................................................................................. 7
2.3.4 Social Comparison ...................................................................................... 8
2.3.5 Resilience and Coping ................................................................................ 8
2.4 Social Media Use and Happiness ..................................................................... 8
2.4.1 Active vs. Passive Use................................................................................ 8
2.4.2 Duration and Intensity of Use...................................................................... 9
2.5 The Importance of Context: Why South Africa Matters ..................................... 9
2.5.1 Technological Gaps and Digital Inclusion ................................................... 9
2.5.2 Cultural Influences on Happiness and Social Media ................................. 10
2.6 Research Hypotheses ..................................................................................... 10
3. RESEARCH METHOD ......................................................................................... 11
4. ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS ............................................................................. 11
4.1 Informed Consent ........................................................................................... 11
4.2 Right to Withdraw ............................................................................................ 12
4.3 Confidentiality and Anonymity ......................................................................... 12
4.4 Minimising Harm ............................................................................................. 12
4.5 Data Integrity................................................................................................... 12
5. PARTICIPANTS ................................................................................................... 13
6. PROCEDURE ...................................................................................................... 13
, For additional support +27 81 278 3372
7. MEASUREMENTS ............................................................................................... 14
7.1. Active and Passive Social Media Use ............................................................ 14
7.2. Intensity of Social Media Use ......................................................................... 15
7.3. Happiness (Subjective Well-Being) ................................................................ 15
8. DATA ANALYSIS ................................................................................................. 16
9. RESULTS ............................................................................................................. 17
9.1. Preliminary Analysis ....................................................................................... 17
9.2. Main Analyses ................................................................................................ 17
9.2.1. Hypothesis 1 ............................................................................................ 17
9.2.2. Hypothesis 2 ............................................................................................ 18
9.3. Summary of Results ....................................................................................... 19
10. DISCUSSION ..................................................................................................... 20
10.1. Support of Original Hypotheses ................................................................... 20
10.2. Similarity of Results to Previous Research .................................................. 20
10.3. Limitations .................................................................................................... 21
10.4. Contributions ................................................................................................ 22
10.5. Implications .................................................................................................. 22
11. CONCLUSION ................................................................................................... 23
12. REFERENCES ................................................................................................... 24
