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Does Social Media Use Causes Depression among University Students?
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Does Social Media Use Causes Depression among University Students?
Introduction
Background
Social media is a form of websites communication that emphasizes collaboration and
communication. Most students use social media. In addition, the incidences of depression among
American university students have increased overtime. Along with creating physical and
emotional issues, depression may render a person difficulty to operate normally in both personal
and professional settings. In 2023, the World Health Organization estimated 3.8% global
population as people suffering from depression. In addition, young people suffering from
depression are more susceptible to prejudice, societal discrimination, and mental illnesses.
The prevalent behaviors observed in modern society involve regularly viewing Facebook
stories, changing WhatsApp statuses, and uploading new photographs on Instagram. People can
now express their ideas and provide real-time updates on their experiences by using social
media. According to Solé et al. (2020, p. 6), a study revealed that 30% of university students
have displayed indications of severe depression symptoms that have a substantial impact on their
psychological functioning. The use of social media platforms to create and maintain ties with
friends has become a significant global phenomenon in modern culture. Solé et al. (2020, p. 6)
noted that 90% of young adults actively use social media platforms daily. A significant
proportion of undergraduate students allocate most of their leisure time to social media.
Literature review
The high rate of depression among university students in the United States has become a
serious issue academics and universities. According to Aslan et al. (2020), 56% of undergraduate
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students exhibit symptoms indicative of depression. This psychological condition has been
associated with developing detrimental behaviors such as substance misuse, suicidal ideation,
and alcohol dependency (Magee & Connell, 2021). The escalating global prevalence of social
media usage has sparked the attention of psychiatrists and scientists keen on exploring the
potential link between social media consumption and depression symptoms. This concern is
particularly heightened due to the widespread adoption of social media platforms among
undergraduates, making it a significant mode of communication in this demographic.
Numerous academic investigations have elucidated the effects of social media on the
lifestyles of university students. According to Simanjuntak et al. (2019, p. 6), undergraduates
have significantly relied on social media platforms, leading to unprecedented levels of
multitasking. The researchers observed a substantial surge of 119% in multitasking behaviors
among this demographic over the past decade. The impact of social media on learners’ capacity
to focus on a single subject has resulted in a decreased likelihood of sustaining focused attention
without frequent interruptions. According to Thomas et al. (2020, p. 6), the use of social media
among undergraduates has led to the formation and establishment of standards among young
people, as it enables them to engage in communication and get insights into the lives of others.
Because social media is a worldwide community network, it has made it possible for people to
connect with one (Rich, 2018, p. 4). The attitudes and behaviors of college students have
undergone transformation as a result social media.
Researchers are currently examining how social media has contributed to the rising
prevalence of depression among undergraduates. Rich (2018, p. 13) noted that the frequent use
of social media platforms, especially Facebook has contributed to the increase of depression
among undergraduates. According to Luo and Hancock (2020, p. 4), while Facebook usage was
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not a direct indicator of depression, their study highlighted the potential of social media
platforms in enabling young adults to engage in more authentic self-disclosure and emotional
expression compared to face-to-face interactions. A comprehensive examination of over one
thousand posts authored by undergraduates from two universities revealed a notable prevalence
of posts that exhibited depressive information consistent with the criteria outlined in the medical
diagnosis of depression (Rich 2018, p. 4). According to Samari et al. (2022, p. 6), a significant
proportion of individuals, including students, attribute the prevalence of depressive content to the
stigmatization surrounding depressive disorders and other mental illnesses, which consequently
deters them from seeking assistance. According to Berdanier et al. (2020, p. 26), it was
determined that social media platforms provide a conducive environment for students facing
difficulties to articulate their thoughts and emotions more readily compared to face-to-face
interactions.
Consistent with prior studies indicating a lack of direct association between social media
usage and depression phases, Wetherall et al. (2019, p. 36) investigated the impact of Facebook
utilization among undergraduates Wetherall et al. (2019, p. 7) used the social rank framework to
analyze the connection between social media use and depression in their study. Their findings
shows that people who use social media platforms frequently engage in social comparisons with
those they meet online, which can exacerbate depressed symptoms. This feeling of envy arises
when someone feels that they are less productive than another and can lead to depression.
According to Rich (2018, p. 8), Facebook and other social networking platforms, including
Instagram and WhatsApp, are perceived as platforms where individuals can favorably present
themselves. Consequently, individuals who frequently engage with these platforms and
consistently experience feelings of inadequacy compared to their peers are more prone to
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experiencing depression, as posited by the social rank concept. These individuals tend to
perceive those posting on these platforms as more prosperous and content than themselves.
The increasing prevalence of severe depression and the growing use of social media
platforms among undergraduates have prompted scientists to have a greater interest in
comprehending the interplay between these phenomena and investigating potential associations
involving social media use and depression. However, divergent findings have emerged from
studies conducted by Zhong et al. (2021, p. 19) indicating a contradictory perspective. These
studies propose that engagement with social media platforms may mitigate depression by
offering individuals a virtual space for receiving supportive interactions. Additional investigation
is warranted to explore the role of media posted on these platforms in eliciting depressive
emotions.
Research Aim
In light of previous research suggesting that social media utilization is associated with
negative outcomes for its consumers and the subsequent imperative to investigate this possibility
further, the current study aims to examine social media’s role in developing depressive symptoms
among university students. A greater density of achievement posts and colleague self-building
messages can trigger indications like a lack of self-worth harboring emotions of jealousy toward
the person sharing. The desire to share on social media to obtain more social acceptance (Rich
2018, p. 5), so the study aims to determine how these posts can contribute to depression in
undergraduates.
Hypothesis
The use of social media exacerbates depression among undergraduates.
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Undergraduates who use social media have lower rates of depression.
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Methodology
Research methods
The research hypotheses were examined by researchers using a qualitative methodology.
The process encompassed the coordination of interviews, the assessment of gathered data, the
maintenance of examination method integrity, and the integration of pertinent research (Khoa et
al., 2023, p. 11). The qualitative methodology was chosen as the most suitable approach for this
research because it aligns to comprehend the responses of university undergraduates’ social
media usage and its potential impact on depression, whether it exacerbates or alleviates it.
Sampling
Interview-based surveys can only be considered reliable if proper sample procedures are used
(Heidelberg and Stpisska 2023, p. 12). Sampling is defined as “the method used to select study
materials” (Sileyew, 2019, p. 3). To participate in this study, participants must fulfill a number of
requirements. Participants must be undergraduate students. The must also have the age of 18 to
28. Additionally, they must also be active users of social media.
Data Collection Methods
The study used eighty-two undergraduates at six universities across the United States.
The data collection took place from 30th September to 12th October. Out of the sample, sixty
respondents successfully finished the comprehensive survey and were subsequently included in
evaluating the findings. This subset consisted of ten learners from each university. Six groups
were guided and assigned the initials R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, and R6 for easier analysis. The survey
administered on Facebook and Education Suite yielded an acceptance rate of 7% from the total
number of respondents. The survey’s findings show that 83% of respondents were White, while
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6% were Latino and 6% were multi-cultural. These Participants were between the age 18
and 25. All participants were allocated to reply to a uniform survey and were given a friendship
card as an incentive for survey completion.
The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) was used in the study’s survey with nine Likerttype questions to understand the possible harm that social media have on students` mental health.
Each question had a five-point scale with the options “Strongly agree” to “Strongly disagree,”
and all respondents were asked to react accordingly. According to Maroufizadeh et al. (2019, p.
6), the validity scores for the BDI in previous research varied between 0.75 and 0.93, with an
average of 0.84. These findings indicate a strong level of internal stability. The procedure was
carried out under established protocols. This assessment recruited respondents through Facebook
and the Learning Suite platform used by students from six universities. After providing consent
to participate in the study and confirming their current enrollment in a college, the learners were
provided with authentic social media posts (images and status updates) for which personal
permission had been obtained to use in the material of this assessment. The content was carefully
curated to align with one of three distinct themes: Friendship, Individual Success, and Tragedy.
Participants were instructed to provide their responses to a set of nine Likert-style questions,
which were derived from the BDI, for every social media post. Following this, they were asked
to answer demographic questions.
The study employed methodological triangulation by conducting interviews with
respondents and analyzing social media posts. Upon examining the data collected for
the research, three distinct themes about the relationship between social media usage and
depression emerged.
(a) Social media posts on friendships
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(b) Social media posts on personal success
(c) Social media posts on tragedies
Themes of Social –
R1
R2
R3
R4
R5
R6
Agree
Strongly
media posts that can
cause depression
Friendship
Personal fulfilment
Accidents
Strongly Agree
Sometimes Strongly
disagree
agree
agree
disagree
Strongly
Somehow
Sometimes Strongly
Strongly
agree
disagree
agree
agree
agree
Strongly Somehow Strongly
Strongly
Strongly
Neither
disagree
disagree
agree
agree or
Agree
disagree
disagree
disagree
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Data analysis
The data evaluation for this survey had a sample size of sixty participants. A total of 22
answers were excluded from the analysis due to technical issues that resulted in an incomplete
display of the survey information to participants. The potential responses for the survey spanned
from 9, indicating a strong inclination towards agreement with feeling depressed towards the
subject matter, to 45, showing a strong tendency towards disagreement with feeling
depressed after viewing the offered image. In the interview, 45% of respondents noted that social
media content is not affected. These findings suggest that participants did not experience
depressive emotions due to consuming social media information.
The main aim of the research was to evaluate the influence of social media usage on the
incidence of depressive feelings and mental habits among university students. The hypothesis
proposed that being subjected to social media posts about Friends, Individual Achievement, and
Tragedy would induce a sense of depression in the one observing them. The results obtained in
every one of the three themes tended to approach the top limit of 45, indicating that the
participants encountered levels of depression that were somewhat moderate. The results in Table
1 demonstrate that the emotional pain experienced by individuals in the R1 group was
comparable to the notions of Friends and Tragedies. Additionally, information related to
Individual Success also had a similarly unfavorable effect.
The study’s findings revealed that individuals’ reactions to posts highlighting the
accomplishments of others, particularly those of high-achieving students, were associated with
increased tendencies towards self-criticism and feelings of depression, as displayed in Table 1).
These findings may align with the claims made by Rich (2018, p. 8) regarding the emotional
detriment associated with social media usage. According to Rich, individuals may experience
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sentiments of envy towards a passionate, prosperous peer who showcases their pleasure and
wealth on social media platforms, which can contribute to emotional harm. People who have
different levels of success in their social circle may feel inferior to and unsuccessful in
comparison to their friends. Thus, a low sense of self and a negative outlook could result from
this.
Similarly, participants R4, R5, and R6 asserted that personal fulfillment emerged as a
prominent factor contributing to their experiences of depression, as they observed their peers
frequently showcasing themselves and their accomplishments on various social media platforms.
However, R3 does not have any issues with personal accomplishments because they believe it is
only a matter of time. According to the results, R1, R2, R3, R4, and R6, have no problem to
accident-related social media posts with the emergence and does not cause depression. Hence, an
increased duration of exposure to commonly-themed posts on social networking platforms may
potentially be associated with elevated levels of depression.
Limitations of the Study
This study was subject to limitations due to its novel approach. The data and Sampling
for this research were obtained exclusively from a single social media platform, Facebook. This
shows that several participants may have known the individuals listed in the survey questions.
The answers given by participants may also have lacked objectivity due to their prior
knowledge regarding the topic. Another problem was that, even though the 10-person group gave
the survey the most replies (60%) their responses were highly varied.
Recommendations
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Based on empirical findings, it has been observed that social media content, particularly
those related to personal fulfillment, significantly influences the development of depressive
disorders among university students. In light of this, the researcher proposes a collaborative
effort between government agencies and university administration to provide comprehensive life
skills training and guidance to mitigate instances of depression and anxiety within the university
student population. The government should also play a role in regulating the utilization of social
media platforms by creating effective policies that limit specific individual posts to discourage
other students.
Additionally, students should manage their time well by participating in their education
and extracurricular activities. These actions may help students reduce their time on social media
platforms. An example of extracurricular activities is regular exercise and can help them develop
a sense of purpose, lower stress levels, and improve students overall wellbeing. Kim et al. (2019,
p. 2) noted that regular moderate exercise is vital for regulating mood, sleep patterns, and overall
physical well-being.
The university should consider implementing standardized educational modules on
promoting mindful utilization of social media. This approach will foster a sense of selfawareness among university students regarding the emotional impact of their social media usage,
prompting them to discontinue engaging in conversations that contribute to heightened stress
levels or feelings of sadness. This should encompass strategies such as implementing periodic
intervals of abstaining from engagement with social media platforms. Students will learn to
effectively manage their time by incorporating scheduled intervals of rest from engaging with
social media platforms. According to Rich’s (2018, p. 7) research, the act of taking multiple
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consecutive days off has been shown to yield notable enhancements in overall well-being, as
well as reductions in symptoms of despair and anxiety.
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