Chapter One — 1.1 Background to the Study

Over the past decade, the relationship between social media use and coping strategies has become a subject of considerable debate among scholars and industry practitioners alike, particularly within the context of Nigeria and Selected ECOWAS Member States where operating conditions differ markedly from more developed markets.

Nigeria and Selected ECOWAS Member States presents a useful setting for examining this relationship precisely because the conditions there — structural, regulatory, and behavioural — differ from those typically assumed in the broader literature, most of which draws on evidence from more developed economies.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Despite a growing body of literature on social media use, there remains limited consensus on the precise nature of its relationship with coping strategies, particularly within Nigeria and Selected ECOWAS Member States. Many organizations continue to make decisions about social media use without a clear, evidence-based understanding of how those decisions ultimately affect coping strategies. This gap between practice and empirical understanding is the central problem this study seeks to address.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

1. To examine the effect of Social Media Use on coping strategies in Nigeria and Selected ECOWAS Member States.
2. To assess the extent to which social media use influences coping strategies within the study area.
3. To identify the challenges associated with social media use in relation to coping strategies.
4. To recommend strategies for optimizing social media use in order to improve coping strategies.

1.4 Research Questions

1. What is the effect of social media use on coping strategies in Nigeria and Selected ECOWAS Member States?
2. To what extent does social media use influence coping strategies within the study area?
3. What challenges are associated with social media use in relation to coping strategies?
4. What strategies can be adopted to optimize social media use in order to improve coping strategies?

1.5 Significance of the Study

Beyond its academic contribution to the field of psychology, this study has practical value for management teams within Nigeria and Selected ECOWAS Member States seeking to understand how social media use translates into measurable outcomes around coping strategies. It is equally useful to students and future researchers looking for a localized empirical reference on this relationship.

1.6 Scope of the Study

The study is limited to an examination of Social Media Use and its relationship with coping strategies within the context of Nigeria and Selected ECOWAS Member States. It reflects a clearly defined scope of analysis and relies on data and perspectives available within that scope; generalizing the findings beyond this specific context should therefore be done with appropriate caution.