Social Media Use, Traditional Masculinity Norms and Aggression among Men: Age as a Moderator

Abstract

This study explored how social media use, traditional masculinity beliefs, and aggressive behaviour are related among adult men while age is a moderating variable. A cross-sectional correlational design was used, involving 258 men between the ages of 18 and 50 who were selected through purposive sampling. Participants filled the survey form which consist of the Social Media Use Scale, the Male Role Norms Inventory-Short Form, and the Brief Aggression Questionnaire. The data was analysed using Pearson correlation, simple linear regression, and moderation analysis. The results showed that social media use significantly predicted traditional masculinity norms, although the effect was small. Among the different types of social media engagement, belief-based and consumption-based use were significant predictors. Traditional masculinity norms significantly predicted aggression. In addition, higher social media use was related to greater aggression. Although the interaction between age and masculinity norms was positive, but it was not statistically significant. Therefore, age did not significantly moderate the relationship between masculinity norms and aggression.