Main Article Content
Abstract
Abstract
The rapid expansion of social media has transformed how university students
construct identity and evaluate self-worth, with Instagram emerging as a
prominent platform for social validation. This study aimed to examine the
relationship between Instagram follower count and self-confidence among
university students, positioning follower count as a psychosocial indicator of
digital social approval. Using a quantitative cross-sectional design, data
were collected through an online survey administered to 76 undergraduate
students who actively used Instagram. Self-confidence was measured using a
Likert-scale questionnaire adapted from social self-efficacy theory, while
follower count was assessed through self-reported data. Instrument validity
and reliability were confirmed prior to analysis.Normality testing indicated
non-normality, leading to the use of Spearman’s rank-order correlation to
examine the association between variables. The results revealed a strong,
statistically significant positive relationship between Instagram follower
count and self-confidence, indicating that students with higher follower
counts reported greater confidence in social interactions. These findings
suggest that follower count serves as a meaningful form of social validation,
influencing students’ self-perceptions in both digital and offline contexts.The
study highlights the psychological implications of digital popularity metrics
and underscores the need for higher education institutions to promote digital
literacy and mental health awareness. By fostering critical engagement with
social media, universities can help students develop healthier relationships
with online validation and support more resilient forms of self-confidence.
Keywords
Article Details
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