Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
PSIHOLOGIJA, cilt.0, sa.0, ss.40, 2025 (SSCI)
This study explores the mediating role of ruminative identity exploration in the association between adolescent social media addiction and career decision-making difficulties. Four hundred eleven adolescents, 228 (55.5%) females and 183 (44.5%) males, participated in the study. The Social Media Addiction Scale for Adolescents, the Dimensions of Identity Development Scale, and the Career Decision-Making Difficulties Scale for High School Students were utilised to collect the study data. Data were analysed using structural equation modelling. Significance was examined by bootstrapping. The study analyses revealed that social media addiction positively predicted ruminative identity exploration and career decision-making difficulties. Also, ruminative identity exploration positively predicted career decision-making difficulties. Moreover, ruminative identity exploration mediated the relationship between social media addiction and career decision-making difficulties. This study's results suggest that adolescents' social media addiction increases decision-making difficulties via ruminative identity exploration. The results are discussed in light of the literature. Recommendations were made for practitioners and researchers.