HRPYC81 PROJECT 4 Assignment 4 (FINAL RESEARCH REPORT ANSWERS) 2025 - DISTINCTION GUARANTEED

HRPYC81
Project 4 Assignment 4 2025
FINAL RESEARCH PROPOSAL

Due Date: October 2025

Detailed solutions, explanations, workings
and references.

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, 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 .................................................................................................... 4
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 .......................................................................... 6
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 ...................................................................................... 7
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 ......................................................................................... 10
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


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, 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 ............................................................................................................. 16
9.1. Preliminary Analysis ....................................................................................... 16
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 ..................................................................................................... 19
10.1. Support of Original Hypotheses ................................................................... 19
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




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