SOCIAL MEDIA-BASED SELF-CRITICISM AMONG BHUTANESE UNIVERSITY STUDENTS IN THAILAND AND BHUTAN: A TRIANGULATION STUDY

Abstract

Self-criticism focuses on what traits others may have that is missing in oneself. Bhutan’s cultural gender differences and gross national happiness measure uniquely define their population. This mixed-method study describes the social media-based self-criticism among Bhutanese university students and considered significant differences according to gender, and, country of study. A total of 352 students responded. Descriptive statistics, t-test, and thematic analysis were done. There is a moderate level of social media-based self-criticism among Bhutanese university students in Thailand and Bhutan. There are also significant differences in terms of gender and country of study. Written narratives were coded into positive and negative comparatives versus neutral comparative, which also served as a guide in formulating the interview questions for 6 key informants, recruited from the respondents. Digital freedom and self-enhancement surfaced as the themes of the study. The study concludes the Bhutanese university students are responsive to the increasing influence of social media. Gender and studying in a country with more access to social media determine their propensity towards social media-based self-criticism. Social media-based self-criticism after graduation, gender differences, and inclusion of more variables are recommended for further studies.