Technological Addiction and Narcissistic Traits Among Business, Medical, and Psychology Pupils: Implications and Policies

Oruba Motiwala; Hadeeqa  Anmol; Dr. Waqas  Hassan; Salman  Qureshi; Iqra  Khalid; Marium Zafar  Arain; Islamuddin  Sarwar Khan; Muhammad Dullah

doi:10.63056/

Authors

Oruba Motiwala Lecturer, Institute of Professional Psychology, Bahria University, Karachi Campus, Pakistan Author
Hadeeqa Anmol Consultant Clinical Psychologist, CMH Lahore, Pakistan Author
Dr. Waqas Hassan Assistant Professor of Psychology (Adjunct), Riphah Institute of Clinical and Professional Psychology, Riphah International University, Lahore Campus, Pakistan Author
Salman Qureshi Research Scholar, Motivational Speaker, Practitioner at CMH, Trainer in Rehabilitation and Private Organizations, Karachi, Pakistan Author
Iqra Khalid Lecturer, Department of Psychology, Iqra University Chak Shahzad Campus Islamabad, Pakistan Author
Marium Zafar Arain BS Scholar of Clinical Psychology, Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, GIFT University Gujranwala, Pakistan Author
Islamuddin Sarwar Khan Clinical Psychologist at Liaquat National Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan Author
Muhammad Dullah Clinical Psychologist & Addiction Therapist at Alleviate Addiction Suffering (AAS) Trust, Karachi, Pakistan Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.63056/

Keywords:

technological addiction, gaming addiction, social media addiction, narcissistic traits, pupils

Abstract

Technology has brought a positive revolution to the world; however, it also has disadvantages, such as addiction. This addiction not only causes mental health problems but is also linked to narcissistic traits, particularly among pupils engaged in problematic gaming and social media use. In Pakistan, such studies are limited; therefore, the present study evaluated technological addiction—operationalized as gaming addiction and social media addiction—and its relationship with narcissistic traits among business, medical, and psychology pupils. The study also examined mean differences across these groups. A cross-sectional correlational design with purposive sampling was employed to collect data from 225 pupils aged 18 to 30, enrolled in private and public universities in Karachi, Lahore, and Gujranwala. Three instruments were utilized: the Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale, the Gaming Addiction Scale for Adolescents (Shorter Version), and the Narcissistic Personality Inventory (Shorter Version). Results indicated a significant relationship between gaming addiction, social media addiction, and narcissistic traits. Furthermore, medical pupils scored significantly higher on narcissistic traits and social media addiction compared to business and psychology pupils, while no significant differences were found in gaming addiction. The study offers important implications, including the need for mental health awareness programs, a stronger role for educational institutions, and promoting limitations on the use of technological applications.