Online shopping addiction, perceived social support, and social media usage as predictors of life satisfaction among young adults in Malaysia

Chin, Yi Ying and Lim, Katherine Mean and Mak, Wen Xuan (2026) Online shopping addiction, perceived social support, and social media usage as predictors of life satisfaction among young adults in Malaysia. Final Year Project, UTAR.

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Abstract

Life satisfaction is a key indicator of subjective well-being, particularly among young adults undergoing major social and psychological transitions. In the digital era, behavioural and psychosocial factors such as online shopping addiction, perceived social support, and social media usage have become increasingly relevant in shaping well-being. However, their combined influence among Malaysian young adults remains underexplored, highlighting the importance of examining both risk and protective factors. This study aimed to examine whether online shopping addiction, perceived social support, and social media usage predict life satisfaction among young adults in Malaysia. A cross-sectional quantitative design was adopted, with participants selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected from Malaysian young adults aged 18 to 26 through an online questionnaire comprising the Online Shopping Addiction Scale (OSAS), Perceived Social Support Scale (PSSS-A6), Social Media Use Scale (SMUS), and Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS). Data were analysed using SPSS 23 through descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression, with 181 valid responses retained after data screening. The findings indicate that perceived social support is a significant positive predictor of life satisfaction (β = 0.415, p < 0.001), while online shopping addiction and social media usage are significant predictors but show more complex relationships. Overall, the study highlights the importance of strengthening social support systems and understanding digital behaviours in promoting life satisfaction, contributing to the Bottom-Up Theory of Life Satisfaction.

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