This study investigates how social media use (SMU) influences civic engagement (CE), focusing on the mediating roles of civic engagement attitudes (CEA) and behaviours (CEB). Using survey data from 403 working women respondents from India and partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) analysis, the research finds that SMU—measured through integration into social routines (ISR) and social integration and emotional connection (SIEC)—affects CE only indirectly, via CEA and CEB, with no direct effects. These results highlight context-specific, gendered pathways to civic participation, shaped by cultural and socio-economic factors. The study offers policymakers insights into leveraging social media to foster CE by targeting underlying attitudes and behaviours.

Social media use (SMU), civic engagement attitude (CEA), civic engagement behaviour (CEB), civic engagement (CE), integration into social routine (ISR), social integration & emotional connection (SIEC)

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