University of Twente Student Theses
Social media and mental health: Uses and gratifications of social networking in relation to depression, anxiety and offline relationships among young adults
Reichelt, Alicia (2019) Social media and mental health: Uses and gratifications of social networking in relation to depression, anxiety and offline relationships among young adults.
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| Abstract: | Social media is a fixed component in the lives of billions of people around the world. Especially, young adults between the age of 18 to 24 years old are amongst the most active user of social media networking sites. For that reason, there is a growing interest in exploring social media platforms and its possible effects on young individuals. However, research is still divided by disagreement, reporting positive as well as negative consequences of social media use on users psychological well-being. The aim of this study is to examine five motivations (gratifications) for using Facebook and Instagram and its relation to depression, anxiety, and offline relationships. A cross-sectional online survey-based research design was conducted including 235 participants with 61,7% females and 37,4% males between the age of 18 to 24 years. The survey consisted of 45 questions asking about respondents motivations for using Facebook and Instagram, their psychological well-being (depression and anxiety) and quality of relationships as well as demographic questions. Overall, the findings indicate that social media gratifications with a higher social component such as socializing and self-expression have a reducing effect on anxiety. However, no relation has been found between social media gratifications and depression as well as offline relationships. |
| Item Type: | Essay (Bachelor) |
| Faculty: | BMS: Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences |
| Subject: | 05 communication studies |
| Programme: | Communication Studies BSc (56615) |
| Link to this item: | https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/78367 |
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