Effects of Religious Orientations on the Prevalence of Social Media Disorder Among Muslim University Students in Pakistan

J Relig Health. 2020 Dec;59(6):3247-3256. doi: 10.1007/s10943-019-00915-6.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of religious orientations on the prevalence of social media disorder among Muslim university students in Pakistan. A total of 686 students (59.0% females), enrolled in the three public-sector universities, participated in the study. The new indices of religious orientation revised and a short version of social media disorder scale were adapted to collect the required information. Both scales demonstrated high reliability coefficients. Results demonstrate significant differences in the religious orientations of disordered and non-disordered social media users. Findings support that the higher extrinsic and quest religious orientations enhance likelihood of being disordered social media users. The enhanced intrinsic religious orientation, however, decreases the chances of being disordered social media users. The implications of research findings in related academic and non-academic settings are discussed at the end of this paper.

Keywords: Compartmentalization; Muslim university; Openness; Self-criticism.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Behavior, Addictive*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Internet
  • Islam*
  • Male
  • Pakistan / epidemiology
  • Prevalence
  • Religion and Psychology*
  • Social Media / statistics & numerical data*
  • Students / psychology*
  • Students / statistics & numerical data
  • Universities