Abstract
Introduction
Sarahah is an online application that allows the anonymous exchange of messages. Lately, the application gained extensive fame among Internet users in Egypt. This study aimed to assess self-esteem and perceived social support among Sarahah users and explore the correlates with the application use.
Methods
Two focus group discussions were held to explore the opinions of Internet users about Sarahah application. Then, we created an online questionnaire, using a Google form, to assess the participants’ socio-demographic characteristics, self-esteem using the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, social support using the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, and patterns of Sarahah use.
Results
Of the 524 respondents to the questionnaire, 28.8% were Sarahah users. Knowing the opinions of others and entertainment were the primary drives behind the application use; 49% and 43% respectively. Low self-esteem (OR 1.6, 95% CI: 1.1–2.5, p = 0.028), age ≤ 25 years (OR 2.4, 95% CI: 1.1–5.2, p = 0.025), and being single (OR 3.4, 95% CI: 1.5–7.5, p = 0.003) associated with Sarahah use after adjustment for age, sex, education, occupation, and social status. Perceived social support did not show significant differences between Sarahah users and non-users.
Conclusion
Sarahah users have lower self-esteem than non-users. Future studies investigating other psychological deficits related to Sarahah use are needed.
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Arafa, A., Senosy, S. Self-esteem and perceived social support among Sarahah users. J Public Health (Berl.) 28, 685–691 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10389-019-01088-y
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10389-019-01088-y