Title: Parental Influence, Emotional Regulation and Collective Identity as Predictors of Social Media Addiction among Undergraduates in Southwest, Nigeria
Authors: Yemisi Oluwatosin Oni and Adisa Bolaji Iyanda
Volume: 9
Issue: 7
Pages: 166-173
Publication Date: 2025/07/28
Abstract:
The growing prevalence of social media addiction among undergraduates has raised global concerns, particularly in regions with unique cultural and familial dynamics such as Southwest Nigeria. This study investigated the predictive roles of parental influence, emotional regulation, and collective identity on social media addiction among undergraduate students in public and private universities within the region. A descriptive survey research design was adopted, involving 2,086 undergraduates selected through multistage sampling from 18 universities. Data were collected using validated instruments: the Social Media Addiction Scale (SMAS), the Parental Authority Questionnaire (PAQ), the Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ), and the Collective Identity Scale (CIS). Reliability coefficients for the scales ranged from 0.70 to 0.91. Data were analysed using Pearson Product Moment Correlation and Multiple Regression. Results revealed significant positive relationships between social media addiction and parental influence (r = .336, p < .05), collective identity (r = .357, p < .05), and emotional regulation (r = .357, p < .05). The combined predictors accounted for 36.5% of the variance in social media addiction (Rē = 0.365, F(3,2082) = 42.37, p < .05). Further analysis showed that collective identity contributed most significantly (? = 0.469, p < .05), followed by parental influence (? = 0.275, p < .05), and emotional regulation (? = 0.148, p < .05). These findings underscore the intertwined influence of family structures, individual coping skills, and communal orientations on students' online behaviours. The study highlights the need for culturally sensitive interventions involving parents, universities, and policy makers to foster healthier digital habits and mitigate the rising concern of social media addiction among Nigerian undergraduates.