Moderated Mediation Effect of Social Participation Activities on the Relationship between Loneliness, Feelings of Deprivation on Social Media, and Happiness among Young People

This study aims to analyze the moderated mediation effect of social participation activities on the relationship between loneliness, feelings of deprivation on social media, and happiness among young people. To this end, data from 3,340 young individuals from the third happiness survey conducted by the National Assembly Future Research Institute in 2023 were analyzed. The analysis was performed using the SPSS Process Macro through methods 1, 4, and 14. The following results were obtained: First, loneliness among young people negatively impacts their happiness, with feelings of deprivation on social media showing a partial mediation effect in this process. Second, social participation activities exhibited a moderating effect on the relation ship between feelings of deprivation on social media and happiness. Third, social participation activities showed a moderated mediation effect in the relationship between loneliness, feelings of deprivation on social media, and happiness. This study elucidated the mechanisms of loneliness and happiness in youth and provided implications for alleviating loneliness and enhancing happiness.