Impact of Social Media on Stress, Anxiety and Depression Among University Students

Abstract

Social media users may communicate both visually and verbally, which has a big impact on college students' life. Social media use is common among young adults, especially university students, which has sparked worries about how it may affect mental health. The relationship between social media use and mental health has been the subject of conflicting research in the past; some studies have connected excessive use to unfavorable outcomes including anxiety and depression. By concentrating on the effects of social media on stress, anxiety, and depression among college students in Islamabad, Pakistan, this study seeks to close the research vacuum in this area. Method The research design used in the study is cross-sectional, and quantitative data obtained via online surveys is used. 135 individuals from various universities in Islamabad, ages 18 to 28, make up the sample. The Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale (BSMAS) and the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS-21) were used to gather data. Whereas the BSMAS gauges social media addiction, the DASS-21 evaluates emotional states linked to stress, anxiety, and depression. Regression analysis and ANOVA were used in the data analysis process to look at the connections between social media use and outcomes related to mental health, utilizing SPSS and SmartPLS 4.0. Results Regression analysis showed that among university students, social media use was significantly correlated with stress, anxiety, and depression levels. Social media usage accounts for 22.8% of the variance in these mental health outcomes, according to the R square value of.228. According to the standardized coefficient (Beta) of.477, stress, anxiety, and depression levels rise by.477 units for every unit increase in social media use. The mother's work was the only demographic variable, such as gender, age, and parents' educational attainment, to have a statistically significant impact on stress, anxiety, and depression levels (p =.000), according to the one-way ANOVA results. Conclusion According to the study's findings, university students in Islamabad who use social media more frequently have considerably higher levels of stress, anxiety, and sadness. These results highlight the need for social media use regulation initiatives to lessen the detrimental effects of social media on mental health. The report also recommends more research using longitudinal designs to investigate the complex connections between social media consumption, demographic characteristics, and mental health outcomes. Comprehending these intricacies is important in formulating efficacious mental health assistance and educational initiatives customized for college attendees.