HACETTEPE UNIVERSITESI EGITIM FAKULTESI DERGISI-HACETTEPE UNIVERSITY JOURNAL OF EDUCATION, sa.4, ss.366-377, 2024 (ESCI)
In this study, the predictive relationships between perceptions of problem-solving, perceived stress, and life satisfaction were examined through structural equation modeling. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with a sample of 429 Turkish adolescents. The study found that individuals' perceptions of problem-solving negatively predict their perceived stress. Furthermore, perceived stress was found to have a negative effect on life satisfaction in the model. Bootstrapping analysis revealed that perceived stress mediated the relationship between perceptions of problem-solving and life satisfaction. Additionally, a multi-group analysis was performed by categorizing people's social media usage into two groups - below and above the average. It was found that the individuals' use of social media changed the degree to which each relationship in the model had an influence. Overall, the study suggests that perceptions of problem-solving can have a protective effect against perceived stress, which in turn can negatively impact an individual's life satisfaction. The study also highlights the role of social media usage in the relationships between these variables.