Abstract:
With the increasing influence of social media on identity formation, especially among
youth, understanding its impact on psychosocial development is essential. This study
investigated how social media mediates gender identity and psychosocial values among
437 youths (mean age = 21.9), comprising 27.1% males, 69.4% females, 2.9% non-binary/
others, and 0.6% undisclosed. Participants completed a Likert-scale questionnaire, and
data were analyzed using IBM SPSS 22 and AMOS 26.0. Structural equation modeli
supported the study’s hypotheses, with four fit indices rated as good and one as fair.
Although some indices (chi-square, significance probability, RMSEA) did not meet ide
benchmarks, the overall model fit was acceptable. All psychosocial variables; peer
influence, self-esteem, social anxiety, and social support; were positively and significantly
associated with gender identity. Peer influence emerged as the strongest predictor,
followed by social media use, self-esteem, and social support. Social media also showed
a significant moderating effect, enhancing the influence of these psychosocial variables
on gender identity. These findings suggest that social media plays a powerful role in
shaping gender identity, either amplifying or moderating other influences. The study
calls for attention from educators, mental health professionals, and policymakers, and
recommends further research using longitudinal and culturally diverse data.
