Effect of Digital Communication on Intrapersonal Relationship among Undergraduate Students: A Study at Faculty of Education, Language and Communication, University Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS)

Abstract

The usage of social media and messaging apps has made digital communication an essential element of university students' everyday lives. Prior research has mostly looked at how digital communication affects interpersonal relationships, frequently ignoring how it affects intrapersonal connections. This study aims to investigate how digital communication affects intrapersonal relationships among University Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) undergraduates at the Faculty of Education, Language, and Communication (FELC), with a particular focus on emotional awareness, emotional regulation, and self-awareness. Using a qualitative research approach, ten FELC undergraduates chosen by purposive sampling participated in semi-structured interviews to gather data. The main themes and patterns that emerged from the participants' experiences were identified using thematic analysis. The results show that students' emotional sensitivity, triggers, and ways of expression are all greatly impacted by digital communication. Furthermore, it has been shown that excessive use of social media influences students' self-awareness through identity development, social comparison, and self-evaluation. Depending on usage patterns, this can have both beneficial and negative effects. Based on Albert Bandura's Social Cognitive Theory, the study explores the effects of self-regulation, feedback, and observation in digital environments on students' personal growth. This study provides recommendations for encouraging healthy digital activities among college students and improves understanding of the psychological effects of digital communication.