TikTok Platform and The Mental Health State of Adolescent

Users: Basis for an Intervention Program

Presented to the Faculty of

College of Arts and Sciences in

Philippine Christian University

In Partial Fulfillment

of the Requirements for the Course

Research in Psychology

Lead Researcher

Lamsen, Judith T.

Associate Researchers

Bañez, Juaquim Trey Nicolas E.

Cagado, Lhorraine P.

Danseco, Loanne Mae D.

April 2024
 CHAPTER 2

METHODOLOGY

Research Design

Correlational Research Design aims to identify relationship between the independent and

dependent variable without manipulating the variables involved in the study (Bhandari, 2021). The

researchers employed this type of research design in order to analyze if there is a significant

relationship between the TikTok platform and the mental health state of adolescent users.

Population, Samples, and Sampling Technique

The respondents of the study are the Senior High School students of Philippine Christian

University – Dasmarinas, Cavite.

The researchers gathered 50 participants from the aforementioned population who are aged

15 – 18 years old and uses the TikTok platform. Since the researchers need a certain characteristic

from the participants, which is a TikTok user, purposive sampling technique was utilized.

Purposive sampling, also known as “judgmental sampling,” is a type of non-probability sampling

technique where the respondents are selected because they possess certain attribute that the

researchers need in order to gather respondents that can provide the information needed to achieve

the study’s objectives (Nikolopoulou, 2022).

Data Gathering Procedures

In order to allow the researchers to formally conduct a survey and look for respondents for

the study, a consent letter was formulated which was approved by the research adviser and

department head. Upon receiving the approved consent letter, the researchers proceeded to look
for respondents in the Senior High School department in Philippine Christian University –

Dasmarinas, Cavite. The researchers used a checklist survey questionnaire which asked the

students if they are a TikTok user. Upon finding 50 respondents who fit in the researchers’ criteria,

the consent letter and informed consent form was presented in order to ensure that they voluntarily

take part in the study, know the objectives of the study, and their rights as participants. After the

respondents signed the informed consent form, the researchers started gathering data with the use

of researcher-made questionnaire validated by statistician. Upon collecting the data, the

researchers carefully checked and analyzed the gathered information.

The researchers ensured that the respondents took part in the study willingly. They were

not forced to answer the questionnaire and was presented the informed consent form to let them

know the goals of the study, what they will be doing, and their rights as the study’s respondents.

The researchers kept the respondents’ identity and answers confidential in order to protect the

individuals involved in the study. As a result, the researchers were able to gather legitimate

information that was carefully analyzed and used in the study.

Statistical Treatment of Data

To analyze and interpret the gathered data about the given topic, the researchers used the

following statistical tools:

1. To determine the profile of the respondents in terms of the time spent on TikTok

platform, frequency count, percentage and ranking used and shown.

Formula:

P = F x 100%
N
 Where: P = Percentage

F = Frequency

N = Total number of cases

2. To determine the respondents’ answers based in the six (6) dimensions: video quality,

music, contents, stress, anxiety and self-perception, frequency count, percentage, mean,

standard deviation, and ranking that were utilized.

Formula:
M= 𝜮𝑿
N
Where: ΣX = Sum of scores

N = Number of cases

3. The following qualitative description was adapted to quantify the respondents’ answer to

each item.

Rating Scale Responses Mean Range Interpretation

5 Strongly Agree 5.00 – 4.21 High

4 Agree 4.20 – 3.41 Above Average

3 Neutral 3.40 – 2.61 Average

2 Disagree 2.60 – 1.81 Below Average

1 Strongly Disagree 1.80 – 1.00 Low

4. The weighted mean will represent the population based on the sample population

gathered by the researchers, thus representing and analysis of the targeted population the

adolescents.
Formula:

X = Σfx
F
Where: X = Weighted mean

Σfx = Sum of all responses

F = Sum of all respondents

 TikTok Platform and the Mental Health State of Adolescent Users:

Basis for an Intervention Program

Name (Optional): ______________________________________________ Date: ____________

Grade/Year Level: _____________________________________________ Age: _____________

Time Spent on TikTok Platform:

15 Minutes 3 Hours
30 Minutes 4 Hours
1 hour 5 Hours
2 hours 6 Hours and Above
I. To what extent you use TikTok platform?

Video Quality
5 4 3 2 1
Questions Strongly Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly
Agree Disagree
1.) I prefer watching videos when it is in high
resolution.
2.) I am satisfied with the clarity of videos on TikTok
platform.
3.) Flashing lights of edited videos on TikTok
bothers me.
4.) Excessive used of filters on TikTok is fine with
me.
5.) I can easily remember videos on high resolution.
Music
5 4 3 2 1
Questions Strongly Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly
Agree Disagree
1.) Music used on TikTok are appealing to me.
2.) I prefer listening to sad music.
3.) Lo-fi/slow paced music calms me.
4.) I feel connected listening to sad music.
5.) Music influences my mood.
Content
5 4 3 2 1
Questions Strongly Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly
Agree Disagree
1.) I like watching documentary crime videos on
TikTok.
2.) True crime videos intrigue me.
3.) I search for horror videos on TikTok.
4.) I browse TikTok to look for disturbing movie
recommendations.
5.) I am comfortable watching crimes, horror, and
other disturbing videos.
 II. Level of Mental Health State

Stress
5 4 3 2 1
Questions Strongly Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly
Agree Disagree
1.) I feel easily upset.
2.) I get easily angry about small things.
3.) I feel stressed when faced with challenges.
4.) I feel alone when handling difficult scenarios.
5.) I feel overwhelmed handling multiple tasks.
Anxiety
5 4 3 2 1
Questions Strongly Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly
Agree Disagree
1.) I easily worry about little things.
2.) I get nervous easily.
3.) My heart beats faster when put in difficult
situations.
4.) I sweat and trembled in front of other people and
awkward situations.
5.) I feel restless even on normal days.
Self-Perception
5 4 3 2 1
Questions Strongly Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly
Agree Disagree
1.) I feel self-conscious.
2.) I compare myself to others.
3.) I feel pressure to do what others are doing.
4.) I feel like others are better than me.
5.) I feel envious of other people’s physical
appearance.
 III. How significant is the relationship between TikTok platform usage and the mental
health state of the adolescent users?

Stress
5 4 3 2 1
Questions Strongly Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly
Agree Disagree
1.) I lose my appetite after watching disturbing
videos on TikTok.
2.) When watching crime, horror, and other
disturbing videos I feel sleepless at night.
3.) I feel irritated to ‘jejemon’ genre of songs on
TikTok.
4.) I find it difficult to concentrate watching low
quality videos.
5.) I feel agitated reading negative comments on my
TikTok videos.
Anxiety
5 4 3 2 1
Questions Strongly Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly
Agree Disagree
1.) My heart beats faster when watching true crime
videos.
2.) I feel like I am in danger after watching crime
documentary videos on TikTok.
3.) I feel nauseous watching gruesome videos on
TikTok.
4.) I withdraw from my responsibilities because of
TikTok usage.
5.) I feel out of place (OP) whenever I am left behind
the trend.
Self-Perception
5 4 3 2 1
Questions Strongly Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly
Agree Disagree
1.) I am influenced on listening to music
recommended by my favorite TikTok influencers.
2.) I used TikTok filters to hide my insecurities.
3.) I feel pressured getting the items used by my
favorite TikTok influencers.
4.) I compare myself to pretty/handsome TikTok
influencers.
5.) I purposely copy trends on TikTok to make me
feel better (e.g. behavior, fashion, and etc.)
DOCUMENTATION