The Influence of Motive of Social Media Use on the Psychological Well-Being of the Youth in Nakuru County, Kenya

Abstract

The study examined the influence of the motive of social media use on the psychological well-being of the youth in Nakuru East Sub-County, Nakuru County  Kenya. Specifically the study examined the use of social media as a source of news, means of connecting with casual friends and intimate friends, seeking information on human health, posting personal photographs and seeking religious information on one hand and their influence of the psychological well-being of the youth on the other hand. The study used the cross-sectional survey design, which engaged 244 respondents selected through stratified random sampling and purposeful sampling methods. The study used   both qualitative and quantitative procedures of data collection. Data analysis was done by use of frequencies, percentages and Pearson Correlation. The study was guided by Theory of Planned Behaviour by Icek Ajzen (1985) and Theory of the Uses and Gratification by Blumler and Katz (1974). The use of social media for religious purposes, seeking information on health and posting personal photographs and connecting with intimate partners were generally beneficial to the psychological well-being of the youth. However, the use of social media to connect with friends had minimal benefit to the psychological well-being of the youth. In terms of policy, this study recommends that the government, counselors, psychologists and other scholars to properly guide, and inform the youth on the negative influence of social media on their psychological well-being.