SavedAdd your journal

Journals / Research on Education and Psychology / 2025 / Volume: 9 Issue: 2

Examining the Trends of Graduate Theses Written on Social Media Addiction in Türkiye: Insights from 2020 to 2025

Emre Şenol(KARAMANOĞLU MEHMETBEY ÜNİVERSİTESİ, SOSYAL BİLİMLER ENSTİTÜSÜ)0009-0000-0480-2017
Abdullah Mücahit Aslan(KARAMANOĞLU MEHMETBEY ÜNİVERSİTESİ)0000-0001-7468-6103
Pages
—
Publication Date
2025-12-30
🏛️Bibliographic metadata and full text access for this article are provided via DergiPark.
DergiPark Record ↗
✨

AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

The findings indicate that most theses were conducted at the master’s level, employed quantitative methods, and primarily used a correlational survey design.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

🎯
Objective & Hypothesis:This study systematically examines 314 postgraduate theses on social media addiction published in Türkiye between 2020 and April 2025 in terms of various variables.
📊
Key Findings & Data:The results reveal a growing academic interest in social media addiction; however, qualitative and mixed-method studies remain limited, and the 2025 data are incomplete.
💡
Conclusion & Impact:The findings indicate that most theses were conducted at the master’s level, employed quantitative methods, and primarily used a correlational survey design.
🔬Design:Survey & Empirical Study
📍Scope:2020 Verileri
⚙️Variables:Postgraduate theses · Postgraduate thesis trends · Social media addiction

Abstract

This study systematically examines 314 postgraduate theses on social media addiction published in Türkiye between 2020 and April 2025 in terms of various variables. Using a document analysis method, the theses obtained from the Council of Higher Education National Thesis Center (YÖKTEZ) database were analyzed, and the data were evaluated through descriptive analysis. Themes such as research method, design, sample group and size, variables, universities, and academic disciplines were examined. The findings indicate that most theses were conducted at the master’s level, employed quantitative methods, and primarily used a correlational survey design. The most frequently studied variables included screen time, psychological resilience, online game addiction, and dark triad personality traits. The results reveal a growing academic interest in social media addiction; however, qualitative and mixed-method studies remain limited, and the 2025 data are incomplete. The predominance of quantitative /correlational designs limits insight into the deeper, experiential aspects of social media addiction. Overall, this study provides a systematic overview of postgraduate research trends on social media addiction in Türkiye, highlighting methodological tendencies and research gaps in the field.

🔖

Cite This Article

Şenol, E., Aslan, A. M. (2025). Examining the Trends of Graduate Theses Written on Social Media Addiction in Türkiye: Insights from 2020 to 2025. Research on Education and Psychology, Volume: 9 Issue: 2. https://doi.org/10.54535/rep.1819075

📄 Full Text PDF Viewer

📄

PDF görüntüleyici hazırlanıyor...

References (40)

  1. Althubaiti, A. (2023). Sample size determination: A practical guide for health researchers. Journal of General and Family Medicine, 24(2), 72–78. https://doi.org/10.1002/jgf2.600
  2. Andreassen, C. S., Pallesen, S., & Griffiths, M. D. (2017). The relationship between addictive use of social media, narcissism, and self-esteem: Findings from a large national survey. Addictive Behaviors, 64, 287–293. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2016.03.006
  3. Avci, S., Cakir, M., & Akinci, T. (2024). Examining Social media addiction as a predictor of academic achievement and academic procrastination: A cohort of undergraduate students. Journal on Efficiency and Responsibility in Education and Science, 17(4), 286-298. http://dx.doi.org/10.7160/eriesj.2024.170402
  4. Bilgin, O., & Taş, İ. (2018). Effects of perceived social support and psychological resilience on social media addiction among university students. Universal Journal of Educational Research, 6(4), 751-758. http://dx.doi.org/10.13189/ujer.2018.060418
  5. Bányai, F., Zsila, Á., Király, O., Maraz, A., Elekes, Z., Griffiths, M. D.,. & Demetrovics, Z. (2017). Problematic social media use: Results from a large-scale nationally representative adolescent sample. PloS One, 12(1), e0169839. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0169839
  6. Büyüköztürk, Ş., Kılıç Çakmak, E., Akgün, Ö. E., Karadeniz, Ş., & Demirel, F. (2017). Bilimsel araştırma yöntemleri [Scientific research methods] (23. baskı). Pegem Akademi.
  7. Błachnio, A., Przepiórka, A., & Pantic, I. (2016). Association between facebook addiction, self-esteem, and life satisfaction: A cross-sectional study. Computers in Human Behavior, 55, 701–705. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2015.10.026
  8. Cheng, C., Lau, Y. C., Chan, L., & Luk, J. W. (2021). Prevalence of social media addiction across 32 nations: Meta-analysis with subgroup analysis of classification schemes and cultural values. Addictive Behaviors, 117, 106845. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2021.106845
  9. Elhai, J. D., Dvorak, R. D., Levine, J. C., & Hall, B. J. (2017). Problematic smartphone use: A conceptual overview and systematic review of relations with anxiety and depression psychopathology. Journal of Affective Disorders, 207, 251–259. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2016.08.030
  10. Erdemir, N., & Ayas, T. (2023). Ortaokul öğrencilerinin sosyal medya bağımlılığı, yalnızlık ve iyi oluş arasındaki ilişkinin incelenmesi [Examining the relationship between social media addiction, loneliness, and well-being among middle school students]. Erzincan Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi [Erzincan University Journal of Education Faculty], 25(4), 708–721. https://doi.org/10.17556/erziefd.1231203
  11. Fabris, M. A., Marengo, D., Longobardi, C., et al. (2020). Investigating the links between fear of missing out, social media addiction, and emotional symptoms in adolescence: The role of stress associated with neglect and negative reactions on social media. Addictive Behaviors, 106, 106364. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2020.106364
  12. Gezgin, D. M. (2018). Understanding patterns for smartphone addiction: Age, sleep duration, social network use and fear of missing out. Cyprus Journal of Educational Sciences, 13(2), 166–177.
  13. Giancola, M., Perazzini, M., Bontempo, D., et al. (2025). Narcissism and problematic social media use: A moderated mediation analysis of fear of missing out and trait mindfulness in youth. International Journal of Human–Computer Interaction, 41(14), 8554–8564. https://doi.org/10.1080/10447318.2024.2411468
  14. Griffiths, M. D. (2005). A “components” model of addiction within a biopsychosocial framework. Journal of Substance Use, 10, 191–197. https://doi.org/10.1080/14659890500114359
  15. Güldal, Ş., Kılıçoğlu, N. A., & Kasapoğlu, F. (2022). Psychological flexibility, coronavirus anxiety, humor and social media addiction during COVID-19 pandemic in Türkiye. International Journal for the Advancement of Counselling, 44(2), 220–242. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10447-021-09461-x
  16. Kaplan, A. M., & Haenlein, M. (2010). Users of the world, unite! The challenges and opportunities of social media. Business Horizons, 53(1), 59–68. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bushor.2009.09.003
  17. Karadağ, E. (2009). Eğitim bilimleri alanında yapılmış doktora tezlerinin tematik açıdan incelenmesi [A thematic analysis of doctoral dissertations conducted in the field of educational sciences]. Ahi Evran Üniversitesi Kırşehir Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi / Ahi Evran University Kırşehir Faculty of Education Journal, 10(3), 75–87.
  18. Karakuş, M., Balcı, E. V., & Tiryaki, S. (2024). “Sosyal Medya Bağımlılığı” ile İlgili Çalışmaların İncelenmesi:Bir Bibliyometrik Analiz [Examining the studies on “Social Media Addiction”: A bibliometric analysis]. Cyprus Turkish Journal of Psychiatry and Psychology, 6(1). https://doi.org/10.35365/ctjpp.24.1.91
  19. Kaçmaz, C., & Cumurcu, H. B. (2020). Türkiye’de internet bağımlılığıyla ilgili yapılan lisansüstü tezlerin incelenmesi [Investigation of graduate theses on internet addiction in Turkey]. Anatolian Journal of Health Research, 1(1), 7–13.
  20. Kemp, S. (2025, March 3). Digital 2025: Türkiye — DataReportal – Global digital insights. DataReportal. https://datareportal.com/reports/digital-2025-Türkiye
  21. Kircaburun, K., Alhabash, S., Tosuntaş, Ş. B., & Griffiths, M. D. (2020). Uses and gratifications of problematic social media use among university students: A simultaneous examination of the Big Five of personality traits, social media platforms, and social media use motives. International Journal Of Mental Health and Addiction, 18(3), 525-547. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-018-9940-6
  22. Kircaburun, K., & Griffiths, M. D. (2018). The dark side of internet: Preliminary evidence for the associations of dark personality traits with specific online activities and problematic internet use. Journal of Behavioral Addictions, 7(4), 993–1003. https://doi.org/10.1556/2006.7.2018.109
  23. Kurtoğlu, E., & Süslü, D. P. (2024). Türkiye’de internet bağımlılığı ile ilgili yapılmış lisansüstü tezlerin incelenmesi [An analysis of postgraduate theses conducted on internet addiction in Türkiye]. Bağımlılık Dergisi [Journal of Dependence], 25(1), 10–22. https://doi.org/10.51982/bagimli.1246529
  24. Kuss, D. J., & Griffiths, M. D. (2017). Social networking sites and addiction: Ten lessons learned. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 14(3), 311. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14030311
  25. Memon, M. A., Ting, H., Cheah, J. H., et al. (2020). Sample size for survey research: Review and recommendations. Journal of Applied Structural Equation Modeling, 4(2), i–xx. https://doi.org/10.47263/jasem.4(2)01
  26. Miles, M. B. ve Huberman, A. M. (1994). Qualitative data analysis. Sage.
  27. Parlak Sert, H., & Başkale, H. (2023). Students’ increased time spent on social media, and their level of coronavirus anxiety during the pandemic, predict increased social media addiction. Health Information and Libraries Journal, 40(3), 262–274. https://doi.org/10.1111/hir.12448
  28. Pellegrino, A., Stasi, A., & Bhatiasevi, V. (2022). Research trends in social media addiction and problematic social media use: A bibliometric analysis. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 13, 1017506. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2022.1017506
  29. Przybylski, A. K., Murayama, K., DeHaan, C. R., & Gladwell, V. (2013). Motivational, emotional, and behavioral correlates of fear of missing out. Computers in Human Behavior, 29(4), 1841–1848. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2013.02.014
  30. Quan-Haase, A., Harper, M. G., & Wellman, B. (2021). The role of communication technology across the life course: A field guide to social support in East York. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 38(12), 3497–3517. https://doi.org/10.1177/02654075211056898
  31. Salari, N., Zarei, H., Hosseinian-Far, A., et al. (2025). The global prevalence of social media addiction among university students: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Public Health, 33(1), 223–236. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10389-023-02012-1
  32. Santini, Z. I., Thygesen, L. C., Andersen, S., et al. (2024). Social media addiction predicts compromised mental health as well as perceived and objective social isolation in Denmark: A longitudinal analysis of a nationwide survey linked to register data. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, 1–18. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-024-01283-3
  33. Savcı, M., & Aysan, F. (2018). Interpersonal competence, loneliness, fear of negative evaluation, and reward and punishment as predictors of social media addiction and their accuracy in classifying adolescent social media users and non-users. Addicta, 5(3), 431-471. http://dx.doi.org/10.15805/addicta.2018.5.3.0032
  34. Statista (2025). Social media in Türkiye – statistics & facts. https://www.statista.com/topics/9412/social-media-in-Türkiye/?srsltid=AfmBOooFBwejGyuUKKH6fe0Dyl6xySmXEULmve6HBOv8H-4PShUhPuvP#topicOverview
  35. Turan, M. E., Adam, F., Kaya, A., et al. (2024). The mediating role of the dark personality triad in the relationship between ostracism and social media addiction in adolescents. Education and Information Technologies, 29(4), 3885–3901. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-023-12002-1
  36. Wu, P., Feng, R., & Zhang, J. (2024). The relationship between loneliness and problematic social media usage in Chinese university students: A longitudinal study. BMC Psychology, 12(1), 13. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-023-01498-4
  37. Yüksel, M. Y., Çini, A., & Yasak, B. (2020). Genç yetişkinlerde sosyal medya bağımlılığı, yalnızlık ve yaşam doyumunun incelenmesi [Examining social media addiction, loneliness, and life satisfaction among young adults]. Atatürk Üniversitesi Kazım Karabekir Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi [Atatürk University Kazım Karabekir Faculty of Education Journal], 40, 66–85.
  38. Yıldırım, A., & Şimşek, H. (2018). Sosyal bilimlerde nitel araştırma yöntemleri [Qualitative research methods in social sciences] (11. baskı). Seçkin.
  39. Yılmaz, M. B., & Dündar, G. (2025). Türkiye’de dijital bağımlılık üzerine yapılan lisansüstü tezlere yönelik bibliyometrik bir analiz [A bibliometric analysis of postgraduate theses on digital addiction in Türkiye]. İnsan ve Toplum Bilimleri Araştırma Dergisi [Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences Research], 14(2), 1028–1047. https://doi.org/10.15869/itobiad.1642129
  40. Bányai, F., Zsila, Á., Király, O., Maraz, A., Elekes, Z., Griffiths, M. D.,. & Demetrovics, Z. (2017). Problematic social media use: Results from a large-scale nationally representative adolescent sample. PloS One, 12(1), e0169839. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0169839