The Relationship between the Instagram Usage and Self-esteem among IIUM Students

Abstract

This study aims to determine the effects of Instagram usage on the self-esteem of International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) students. The specific objectives of this study are: (1) to assess IIUM students’ level of Instagram usage; (2) to assess IIUM students’ level of perception of Instagram usage; (3) to assess IIUM students’ level of attitude in using Instagram; (4) to assess IIUM students’ level of behaviour in using Instagram; and (5) to determine the relationships of usage, perception, attitude, and behaviour in using Instagram with self-esteem. A quantitative research design was employed in this research. For data collection, network sampling was used as a sampling technique and an online survey questionnaire was used as the research instrument. A total of 160 undergraduate and postgraduate students participated in this study. The results show a high level of Instagram usage among students, where most of them used it more than five times a day. Therefore, their usage of the platform had a positive impact on their self-esteem. The findings also show that the students tended to have a positive perception, attitude, and behaviour towards self-esteem in using Instagram. The relationships between Instagram usage, perception, attitude, behaviour, and self-esteem were strong and statistically significant. Hence, when all the students have a highest level of Instagram usage, they will have a positive perception, attitude, and behaviour towards their self-esteem. This study tested the social comparison theory, and all the developed hypotheses were accepted.