Social Networking Use and Psychological Well-Being in University Students: The Mediating Role of Need Frustration in Basic Psychological Need Satisfaction

In response to the growing reliance on digital platforms among university students, this study explores the psychological consequences of social networking site (SNS) engagement. Anchored in Self-Determination Theory, the research examines the indirect impact of SNS usage on psychological need satisfaction via the mediating role of need frustration. Data were gathered from 270 undergraduate students using two psychometric tools: the Social Media Use Scale and the Basic Psychological Need Satisfaction and Frustration Scale (BPNSFS). Findings from mediation analysis indicate that increased SNS use is linked to elevated need frustration, which subsequently diminishes satisfaction across autonomy, competence, and relatedness domains. These insights offer valuable implications for understanding the motivational vulnerabilities that arise in digital contexts, particularly among emerging adults in academic settings.