From screens to the soul: The role of TikTok digital media and self-concept in the psychological well-being of students

Abstract

Background: The development of digital media, particularly short-video-based platforms such as TikTok, has transformed patterns of social interaction and the ways in which university students express their identities. This phenomenon raises questions regarding the extent to which TikTok usage influences students’ psychological well-being, particularly when associated with internal factors such as self-concept. Method: This study aimed to analyze the influence of TikTok usage intensity and self-concept on the psychological well-being of students at Universitas Islam 45 Bekasi. The study employed a quantitative approach with a correlational design. The participants consisted of 53 university students selected through purposive sampling techniques. Data were collected using 3 psychological scales: the TikTok usage intensity scale, the self-concept scale adapted from Goñi (2011), and the psychological well-being scale based on Ryff’s 6 dimensions (1989). Data analysis was conducted using Spearman correlation tests and multiple linear regression analysis. Findings: The findings revealed that TikTok usage intensity was significantly negatively associated with psychological well-being (r = –0.320, p = 0.020), whereas self-concept demonstrated a significant positive relationship with psychological well-being (r = 0.445, p = 0.001). Multiple regression analysis further indicated that self-concept emerged as the strongest predictor of psychological well-being (β = 0.434, p = 0.001), while TikTok usage intensity also significantly predicted psychological well-being (β = –0.262, p = 0.035), although its contribution was weaker. These findings indicate that internal factors such as self-concept play a more substantial role in determining psychological well-being than external factors in the form of social media engagement. Conclusion: This study concludes that both TikTok usage intensity and self-concept significantly contribute to students’ psychological well-being; however, self-concept exerts a stronger influence, suggesting that positive self-perception and self-acceptance are important protective factors in maintaining psychological well-being in the digital era. Novelty/Originality of this article: The novelty of this study lies in the integration of internal psychological factors (self-concept) and external digital communication factors (TikTok usage intensity) in explaining students’ psychological well-being within the context of short-video-based social media platforms.