Research Journal of Medical Sciences
ISSN: Online 1993-6095ISSN: Print 1815-9346
Abstract
Social media use has become ubiquitous among adolescents, raising significant concerns regarding its potential impact on mental health. Given the prevalence and the centrality of these platforms in young people's lives, understanding these impacts is crucial for developing effective health interventions and policies. This study aims to analyze the associations between social media use and various aspects of adolescent mental health, including the effects of usage duration, content type and interaction quality. A cross‐sectional survey was conducted among 200 adolescents aged 12‐18 years. The survey assessed hours of social media use, the types of content interacted with and self‐reported mental health status using validated psychological scales. Data analysis included calculating frequencies, percentages, confidence intervals and P‐values to determine the significance of associations. The findings reveal a significant association between social media use and reported mental health issues. Adolescents engaging in over three hours of social media daily reported higher levels of mental health symptoms (P=0.029). Negative content interaction was strongly correlated with adverse mental health outcomes (P=0.005). Demographic variables, particularly gender and socioeconomic status, significantly moderated the effects of social media on mental health. This study underscores the complex relationship between social media usage and adolescent mental health, highlighting the need for targeted mental health strategies that consider the content type and interaction quality on social media platforms. The findings advocate for proactive educational and policy measures to mitigate the potential negative impacts of social media on youth.
How to cite this article:
D. Arogyanadhudu and Jogi Chandu. Cross‐Sectional Analysis of the Impact of Social Media Use on Adolescent Mental Health.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.36478/10.36478/makrjms.2024.12.583.587
URL: https://www.makhillpublications.co/view-article/1815-9346/10.36478/makrjms.2024.12.583.587