Journal of Academic Research for Humanities (JARH) is a double-blind, peer-reviewed, Open Free Access, online Multidisciplinary Research Journal
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Vol. 5 No. 4 (2025)
The International "Journal of Academic Research for Humanities"

Research Articles

Impact of Social Networking Usage on Sleep Quality and Emotional Regulation among University Students in Bahawalpur, Pakistan

Published 04-10-2025

  • Maria Shahid
    • ,
  • Muntaha Ahmad
    • ,
  • Yamima Niamat
    • ,
  • Khanum Riza

Maria Shahid
MPhil Scholar, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Punjab, Pakistan.

Muntaha Ahmad
MPhil Scholar, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Punjab, Pakistan

Yamima Niamat
MPhil Scholar, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Punjab, Pakistan.

Khanum Riza
MS Scholar, Karakorum International University, Gilgit, KPK, Pakistan,

Abstract

This research explores the relationship between social networking use by Pakistani university students in Bahawalpur, sleep quality, and emotional regulation.  Standardized measures, including the Emotion Regulation Questionnaire, the Sleep Quality Scale, and the Social Networking Usage Scale, were employed to assess a sample of 250 individuals. The outcomes indicated a negative correlation between emotional controls and sleep quality, as well as between social networking use and sleep quality. Conversely, a marginally significant positive correlation was observed between emotional regulation and social networking use.  Although there were no identifiable gender differences in the use of social networking, independent sample t-tests indicated gender-based differences in emotional regulation, with females performing better than males. Also, while no differences were apparent in the time devoted to social networking, urban students had better-quality sleep compared to rural students.  Social networking was minimally related to emotional regulation, but sleep quality was a strong predictor of social networking usage, per regression analysis. These findings reveal social networking's dual role as a risk factor for sleep disturbances and a facilitator of adaptive regulation.  The research underlines how important it is to develop awareness campaigns and balanced technology-use treatments in an attempt to enhance students' well-being.

Keywords

university students; , technology use; , emotional control; , sleep quality; , social networking

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