The Effect of Social Media Use and Self-Confidence on Suicide Probability Among University Students

Suicide represents a major psychiatric and public health concern among university students, who are among the most active users of social media. This study aimed to examine whether self-confidence mediates the relationship between social media use and suicide probability among Turkish university students. This predictive correlational study was conducted with 406 university students (72.9% female, 27.1% male). Data were collected using an online questionnaire including the Social Media Usage Scale, the Suicide Probability Scale, and the Self-Confidence Scale. Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and mediation analysis were performed using Hayes’ PROCESS macro in SPSS. Statistical significance was set at p < .05. Correlation analyses showed that social media use was positively but weakly associated with suicide probability (r = .11, p < .05). Self-confidence was moderate and negatively correlated with suicide probability (r = –.42, p < .01), while no significant relationship was found between social media use and self-confidence (r = –.03, p > .05). Mediation analysis indicated that social media use directly predicted suicide probability (β = .16, p < .05), but self-confidence did not mediate this relationship. Self-confidence independently predicted lower suicide probability (β = –.17, p < .001). The model explained 19.5% of the variance (R² = .19). Social media use increases suicide probability directly and independently of self-confidence. However, higher self-confidence serves as a protective psychological factor. These findings underscore the importance of monitoring students’ digital engagement and enhancing self-confidence within intervention programs targeting suicidal risk among young adults.