Document Type : Research
Authors
1
Associate Professor, Department of Social Sciences, Faculty of Humanities, University of Kashan, Kashan, Iran.
2
Assistant Professor, Department of Social Sciences, Faculty of Humanities, University of Kashan, Kashan, Iran.
3
M.A. of Social Science Research, Department of Social Sciences, Faculty of Humanities, University of Kashan, Kashan, Iran.
4
M.A. of Sociology, Department of Sociology, Faculty of Social Science, Allameh Tabataba'i University, Tehran, Iran.
Abstract
This study was conducted to investigate the impact of virtual social networks on the formation & orientation of a health-oriented lifestyle, mediated by social & cultural capital among students of Kashan University. The statistical population included all students of the university (6,571 individuals), & the sample size was estimated at 460 using the Sample Power software. Data were collected through a researcher-designed questionnaire, whose validity was confirmed by expert opinions & construct validity. Reliability was verified using Cronbach’s alpha coefficients: virtual social networks (0.71), health-oriented lifestyle (0.72), social capital (0.70), & cultural capital (0.73). Descriptive findings showed that recreational & educational-scientific content were the most frequently used types in virtual spaces. Regression analysis indicated that the strongest explanatory power for changes in health-oriented lifestyle was provided by cultural capital, followed by social capital. Structural equation modeling (Amos), while confirming most fit indices, revealed that internal virtual life was positively associated with health-oriented lifestyle through increased social capital, whereas external virtual life was negatively associated with health-oriented lifestyle through reduced social capital. Moreover, external virtual life enhanced cultural capital, which in turn promoted a health-oriented lifestyle, while the relationship between internal virtual life & cultural capital was not significant. In conclusion, the findings demonstrate that virtual social networks, beyond serving as communication tools, function as platforms for directing & reproducing cultural & social capital. They influence students’ health patterns & contribute to shaping lifestyles aligned with well-being & collective values.
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