Problematic Social Media Use, Sleep Hygiene, and Quality of Life Among Young Adult Call Center Employees: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Problematic social media use may interfere with sleep-related behaviours and broader well-being, particularly among young adults working irregular schedules. Call center employees may be especially vulnerable because of night work, rotating shifts, prolonged screen exposure, and occupational demands. Objective: The study examined the relationships among problematic social media use, sleep hygiene, and quality of life among young adult call center employees in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. It also examined whether sleep hygiene statistically mediated the association between problematic social media use and quality of life. Methods: A quantitative, cross-sectional, descriptive-correlational design was used with 200 call center employees aged 18–30 years. Problematic social media use was assessed using the Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale (BSMAS), sleep hygiene using the Sleep Hygiene Index (SHI), and quality of life using the WHOQOL-BREF. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Cronbach’s alpha, Pearson correlations, multiple linear regression, and bootstrap mediation analysis. Results: The mean BSMAS score was 17.84 (SD = 4.62) and the mean SHI score was 25.31 (SD = 5.74). Problematic social media use was positively associated with poorer sleep hygiene (r = .41, p < .001) and negatively associated with quality of life (r = −.36, p < .001). Poorer sleep hygiene was also associated with lower quality of life (r = −.49, p < .001). The adjusted regression model was significant, F(8, 191) = 12.84, p < .001, explaining 35% of the variance in quality of life. Bootstrap mediation indicated a significant indirect association through sleep hygiene (indirect effect = −0.29, 95% CI [−0.45, −0.16]). Conclusion: The findings indicate that problematic social media use and poor sleep hygiene are associated with lower quality of life among young adult call center employees. Sleep hygiene may represent an important behavioral pathway linking problematic social media use with occupational well-being.