Social Media Engagement, Perceived Stress And Mental Wellbeing Of Prospective Teachers: A Mediation Analysis

Abstract

Social media usage is unavoidable in this era of innovations and technological explosion. It influences peoples’ lives in both positive and negative ways. Present research explored the interrelationship of social media engagement with mental wellbeing through mediating role of perceived stress among prospective teachers. Present research employed quantitative research approach along with descriptive explanatory research method. Total sample of 227 prospective teachers was selected through convenience sampling technique. Results indicated that social media engagement is a predictor of mental wellbeing and perceived stress of prospective teachers; the mediator perceived stress also significantly predicts the mental wellbeing of prospective teachers. Moreover, social media engagement has negative association with mental wellbeing and positive association with perceived stress; the mental wellbeing also has negative relationship with perceived stress. Results also revealed that perceived stress fully mediates the relationship of social media engagement and mental wellbeing of prospective teachers. University counselling services may consider the perceived stress and social media while dealing with challenges and problems of students’ mental wellbeing.