Your Student Life: Social Media and Mental Health

January 14, 2025

Many college-aged students, including graduate students, use social media on a regular basis.

A recent study looked at positive and negative impact of social media and mental health.

What was the study?

·         A cross-national online survey was conducted in Norway, UK, USA and Australia. Participants (n = 3,474) reported extent of and motives for social media use and completed the 12-item General Health Questionnaire.

·         The participants were of various age groups.

What were the results?

Across the 4 countries:

·         Poorer mental health was associated with using social media to decrease loneliness and for entertainment motives.

·         Better mental health was associated with using social media for personal contact and maintaining relationships.

·         Overall increased daily time on social media was associated with poorer mental health.

Additional thoughts:

·         This is just one study and further research is needed.

·         This study was cross sectional in design, and discusses association, not causation.

·         Strategies on healthy ways of using technology can be found online. 

·         Additional strategies on digital wellness are also online.   

Various resources for mental health support can be found here.

 

References:

1.    https://www.expressvpn.com/blog/gen-z-social-media-survey/?utm_source=Sailthru%20Email&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=generalhealth&utm_content=2022-11-04&apid=25401407&rvid=1dcd8f7dc878fb52201e1fd1f55c0629b91ea15502eedae5c8cd1d1fcf53d560#key

2.    Thygesen H, Bonsaksen T, Schoultz M, Ruffolo M, Leung J, Price D and Geirdal AØ (2022) Social Media Use and Its Associations With Mental Health 9 Months After the COVID-19 Outbreak: A Cross-National Study.  Public Health9:752004. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2021.752004

 

R. Ryan Patel DO, FAPA OSU-CCS Psychiatrist

Counseling and Consultation Service
Office of Student Life