Analysis and Correlation Between Alternative Communication, Cultural Management, and Their Implications for Self-Esteem and Purpose of Life in Intercultural Communities

This research project addresses the complex issue of WhatsApp usage among young adults (18-30 years old) in the Cotacachi canton, Ecuador. The study examines how reliance on this digital platform impacts self-esteem, the construction of life projects, and the preservation of local cultural identity. Faced with a lack of community dialogue spaces and the influence of globalization, the study proposes that purposeful use of WhatsApp, focused on cultural management, can strengthen social capital and psychosocial well-being. Methodologically, a non-experimental cross-sectional correlational design is employed with a sample of 80 residents, using validated instruments to measure digital usage, self-esteem, and life purpose. The research team, consisting of a psychologist and a master's student, ensures the operational viability of the study. The findings aim to support future interventions that integrate ancestral knowledge with digital tools, promoting a balanced use of technology that strengthens collective identity and the integral development of youth in an intercultural environment.<br/><br/><b>Goal</b>: <br/>Analyze the correlation between the use of WhatsApp as a cultural management tool and the levels of self-esteem and life purpose among young people in the intercultural communities of Cotacachi.<br/><br/><b>Research lines</b>: <br/>Political, social and community psychology<br/>Mental health