Correlational Study of Digital Addiction, Social Functioning, Cognitive Vulnerability and Academic Stress on Subjective Happiness Among Adolescents

Abstract

Digital addiction, poor social functioning, cognitive vulnerabilities, and academic-related stress are endangering the levels of subjective happiness among Pakistani adolescents in a milieu of 70% smartphone penetration and disintegrating collectivist family values in South Asia. To test five hypotheses focusing on correlation, gender differences, and hierarchical prediction of these variables on subjective happiness (N=250) adolescents aged 16-22 years). Cross-sectional survey from colleges and universities in Bhakkar used proven scales: Smartphone addiction scale-short version (α=.91), Social functioning questionnaire (α=.87), Cognitive style questionnaire (α=.88), Perceived academic stress scale (α=.86), Subjective happiness scale (α=.85). Analysis included Pearson correlation coefficients, independent t-tests, and hierarchical multiple regression equations controlling for age, gender, SES, institution, family structure, sector of education, and geographic location. Results showed that correlations were negative (-.42 digital addiction, -.51 for social functioning, -.48, cognitive vulnerability, and -.39 for academic stress. Female exhibited higher digital addiction (d=.62), cognitive vulnerability (d=.39), academic stress (d=.62), and lower happiness (d=.55). Regression model explained 12% of the variance (R² = .12, p < .01) with the addition of the psychological predictors explaining a further 30% (ΔR² = .30, p < .01, total R²=.42. Conclusions mentioned that social functioning and cognitive vulnerability are robust predictors of adolescent happiness above demographics digital addiction and can inform gender-specific South Asian interventions.