Authors : Adnan Ali Adikata

Volume/Issue : Volume 11 - 2026, Issue 4 - April

Google Scholar : https://tinyurl.com/43e2mhz5

Scribd : https://tinyurl.com/53tkwn9e

DOI : https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/26apr2119

Note : A published paper may take 4-5 working days from the publication date to appear in PlumX Metrics, Semantic Scholar, and ResearchGate.

Abstract : The rapid expansion of social media platforms has transformed communication practices globally, particularly among young adults in developing countries. Among ethnic minority populations such as the Nubi community in Uganda—a historically marginalized group with distinct cultural and linguistic identities—social media may serve both as a tool for cultural preservation and a source of psychosocial risk. This study examined the relationship between social media use patterns and digital wellbeing among young Nubi adults in Uganda. A quantitative cross-sectional correlational design was employed involving 204 respondents from the Nubi community, with 201 valid cases analysed. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire covering demographic characteristics, usage behaviours, and psychosocial wellbeing indicators. Spearman's rho correlation was used to determine relationships among variables. Findings indicate that intensive and habitual social media use is significantly associated with sleep disruption, reduced physical activity, emotional distress, and increased self-consciousness, consistent with the displacement hypothesis (Nie, 2001; Valkenburg & Peter, 2011). Compulsive usage behaviours—such as difficulty controlling usage, habitual checking, and emotional reliance—were strongly interrelated, reflecting behavioural addiction frameworks (Andreassen, 2015). Cyberbullying exposure and negative online feedback were significantly associated with psychological distress and self-image concerns, aligning with social comparison theory (Festinger, 1954). However, engagement with mental health-related content and culturally affirming Nubi online spaces demonstrated positive associations with life satisfaction and perceived wellbeing. The study concludes that social media use operates as a dual-edged phenomenon among Nubi adults, producing both psychosocial risks and benefits depending on usage patterns and cultural context. Policy and intervention strategies should prioritise digital literacy, behavioural self-regulation, culturally sensitive mental health awareness, and community-based online safety initiatives.

Keywords : Social Media; Digital Wellbeing; Mental Health; Nubi Adults; Uganda; Behavioural Addiction; Cyberbullying; Ethnic Minority.

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