THE IMPACT OF SOCIAL MEDIA ON

“MENTAL HEALTH”

Sanjeev Dhanush

Hetaishini Pamula

Bhavya Agarwal

Samarth Kulkarni
 CONTENTS

1. Introduction

2. Theory and literature review

3. Hypothesis

4. Data

5. Variables and econometric model

6. Empirical analysis and findings

7. Conclusion
 Abstract

This empirical analysis explores key socio-economic indicators within a

dataset to provide insights into various demographic factors. Descriptive
statistics reveal distributions and variations in income levels, education
attainment, age demographics, employment status, gender representation, and
geographical dispersion. The model's explanatory ability is assessed,
highlighting significant predictors and their impact on the dependent
variables. Findings are discussed in relation to initial hypotheses, with
considerations for alternative explanations. Tables present key findings,
including regression coefficients and significance levels. Policy
recommendations are formulated based on the results, aiming to address
identified issues and leverage observed patterns. This analysis contributes to
understanding socio-economic dynamics and informs evidence-based
policymaking.
 1. Introduction

Social media platforms are becoming an essential part of billions of people's everyday lives
worldwide, going beyond their original use as tools for communication in the digital age.
Understanding these platforms' psychological effects is essential as they become more widespread,
especially in terms of how they affect mental health outcomes. Social media's widespread use
provides unparalleled connection, but it is also paradoxically associated with higher levels of social
isolation and other poor mental health indicators in its users. With a focus on a number of
demographics, including young adults in urban and rural environments as well as populations in
the Middle East—areas that have received little attention in prior research—this paper seeks to
thoroughly investigate the complex effects of social media on mental health.

Existing research outlines a worrisome association between heavy social media use and negative
mental health consequences such anxiety, depression, and decreased subjective well-being.
Research, particularly with the emergence of smartphone technology, has shown how social media
contact affects psychological well-being and loneliness. These findings are supported by studies
conducted by Primack et al. (2017) and Twenge et al. (2018). Even nevertheless, there is still a
lack of knowledge regarding the precise processes by which social media platforms affect
psychological health and how these impacts change among demographic subgroups and in various
global contexts, even in light of the noteworthy results of these and related studies.

By concentrating on specific interaction patterns, platform features, and user behaviors that can
influence these mental health outcomes, this research aims to close these gaps. The study intends
to offer greater insights into the complicated relationship between social media usage and mental
health by examining these dimensions and considering cultural, socioeconomic, and regional
aspects that may alter this association. The ultimate objective is to provide information for the
creation of focused interventions and regulations that may lessen the negative impacts of social
media on mental health while maximizing its potential advantages.

2. Theory and literature review

Theory and Literature Review:

The theoretical underpinnings and empirical research from the body of literature that address the
connection between social media use and mental health outcomes are examined in this section.
According to the dominant theory, there is a negative link between greater social media use
(independent variable) and several mental health outcomes (dependent variables), including social
isolation, anxiety, and depression.
Existing Literature and Theories
2.1. Social Media Engagement and Mental Health Decline

Studies by Primack et al. (2017) and Twenge et al. (2018) provide empirical evidence in support
of the idea that increased social media use is associated with poorer mental health outcomes.
Primack et al. (2017) discovered that among young adults, more social media usage is linked to a
greater sense of perceived social isolation. In a similar vein, Twenge et al. (2018) found a
substantial correlation between rising smartphone usage and teenagersdecreased psychological
well-being and their increased screen time. According to these research, social media can increase
connectedness, but because it reduces in-person connections, it may also, ironically, cause feelings
of isolation and loneliness.

2.2. The Mediating Role of User Behavior and Platform Functionalities

Studies by Woods & Scott (2016) and Kross et al. (2013) shed light on the ways in which particular
social media features and user actions aggravate negative mental health consequences. According
to Kross et al. (2013), social comparison and passive content intake function as mediators between
frequent Facebook use and reductions in subjective well-being. Woods & Scott (2016) found a
direct correlation between teenagers' heavy social media use and poor sleep, anxiety, despair, and
low self-esteem.

Competing Arguments
2.1.1. Positive Impacts of Social Media

Researcher claims that social media has beneficial effects on mental health defy popular belief.
Social media, according to this research, can help people feel like they belong and offer support
networks, which are especially helpful for people who have accessibility or mobility challenges.
According to Valkenburg, Peter, and Schouten's (2006) "Internet-enhanced self-disclosure"
hypothesis, for example, the simplicity and anonymity of online connection encourage more
candid communication, which improves the quality of friendships and emotional support.

2.1.2. Moderating Factors

Additionally, other academics stress that social media's effects on mental health are not always
detrimental but rather are influenced by a variety of variables, including the kind of information
a user consumes, their personality attributes, and their pre-existing mental health. Research
indicates that those who use social media actively, as opposed to passively—by exchanging
content and interacting with others, for instance—report improved mental health results (Shaw &
Gant, 2002).
2.2. Bridging the Gaps

Significant gaps still exist despite a wealth of studies connecting social media use to losses in
mental health, particularly in terms of comprehending the complex mechanisms at work and the
heterogeneity of impacts across various populations. By investigating the ways in which
particular interactions on social media platforms affect mental health outcomes and the ways in
which these effects change for various demographic groups—such as those living in rural and
Middle Eastern contexts—this study seeks to get deeper into these areas.

3. Hypothesis

3.1. Primary Hypothesis

According to this study, young individuals varied mental health outcomes (Y) are negatively
impacted by rising social media use (X). Among the particular mental health outcomes taken into
account are low self-esteem, poor sleep quality, anxiety, sadness, and feelings of social isolation.
Extant literature, including studies by Primack et al. (2017), Twenge, Campbell, and Martin
(2018), and Kross et al. (2013), demonstrates a negative correlation between high levels of social
media use and certain mental health indicators, so supporting this idea. Beyond what has been
acknowledged in the existing literature, social comparison, passive content intake, and disturbed
sleep patterns are among the underlying mechanisms that may be responsible for this association
and the detrimental effects of social media on mental health.

3.2. Competing Hypotheses

No Effect Hypothesis: According to a competing theory, using social media infrequently has no
appreciable impact on mental health outcomes. This viewpoint may imply that factors other than
social media usage, such as unique personality qualities, life circumstances, or offline social
support networks, are more important in determining mental health.
The Variable-Dependent Effect Hypothesis: This posits that the impact of social media on
mental health is not constant, but rather varies based on various factors, including the kind of social
media content a user consumes, their pre-existing mental health status, and the context in which
they use social media. For example, using social media actively—sharing content, having
conversations—might have different consequences than using it passively—browsing without
contributing.
3.3. Justification for Primary Hypothesis

The main theory is supported by a substantial amount of empirical data that connects social media
use to detrimental effects on mental health. In order to explore this topic more nuancedly and
recognize that the relationship between social media and mental health may be more complex and
influenced by a variety of moderators and mediators, it is necessary to acknowledge opposing
ideas. This method not only improves the research by offering a thorough understanding of
possible outcomes, but it also points out areas where interventions could be specifically designed
to reduce negative consequences while maximizing potential favorable ones.

3.4 Implications of Hypotheses

Investigating these theories will advance our knowledge of the many ways that social media affects
mental health. It will also close major gaps in the current research by providing guidance for the
creation of focused treatments and policies intended to meet the mental health needs of people in
a variety of contexts, including rural communities and areas like the Middle East. The results of
this study may provide important new information about how to design digital spaces that are
healthier and better for mental health.

4. Data

4.1. Unit of Analysis

Individual social media users are the unit of analysis in this study, which focuses on young adults
and adolescents in both urban and rural environments, as well as in areas like the Middle East.
Regarding their usage patterns on social media and the corresponding outcomes for their mental
health, each unit reflects a distinct set of replies.

4.2. Data Sources

An extensive survey administered using SurveyMonkey has provided the core data for this
investigation. The poll covers several facets of social media usage and its psychological effects,
and it gathers answers from a wide demographic cohort. Indicators of mental health, such as
depression, anxiety, poor sleep, and low self-esteem, were found to be directly correlated with
social media use and the responses to these surveys.

4.3. Strengths of the Data

4.3.1. An extensive Coverage: The data includes direct self-reported mental health outcomes
along with a wide range of characteristics related to social media usage and mental health, such
as frequency of use, duration of exposure, type of content ingested, and so on.

4.3.2. Comprehensive Demographic Reach: The survey draws participants from a range of
demographic backgrounds, including varied regions and socioeconomic levels, which improves
the generalizability of the results.

4.3.3. Quantitative and Qualitative Insights: Both quantitative measurements (such as hours of
social media use and assessments of mental health) and qualitative insights (such as individual
experiences with social media) are provided by the data due to the mixed-methods methodology.

4.4. Weakness of the Data

4.4.1. Self-Reporting Bias: Because participants may not always recollect or describe their
social media usage or mental health status precisely, relying solely on self-reported data can
introduce biases.

4.4.2. Cross-Sectional Design: Because the data are only gathered once, it is more difficult to
determine a causal relationship between social media use and changes in mental health over
time.

4.4.3. Limited Longitudinal Perspective: It is difficult to evaluate the long-term impacts of

social media on mental health without longitudinal data, which is a critical component in
comprehending dynamic linkages and changes.

4.4.4. Data Validity

The use of structured survey items and the inclusion of validated measures for measuring mental
health outcomes—such as depression and anxiety scores—support the validity of the results.
Interpreting the results in light of these constraints is required because the cross-sectional nature
of the data collection and the possibility of self-reporting bias could compromise the overall
validity.
 5. Variables and Econometric Model:

5.1 Dependent Variable:

5.1.1 Mental Health Status (1-10): This variable represents individuals' self-reported mental well-
being on a scale from 1 to 10. It serves as the primary indicator of mental health outcomes in the
study.
Key Independent Variables:

5.1.2. Daily Social Media Usage (hours): The amount of time individuals spend on social media
platforms each day. It serves as a crucial predictor of mental health outcomes, capturing the
intensity of digital interaction.

5.1.3. Type of Content Consumed: Categorized into educational, entertainment, lifestyle, and
news content, this variable indicates the nature of the content individuals engage with on social
media. It is expected to influence mental health outcomes based on the content's relevance,
stressfulness, or engagement level.

5.2 Control Independent Variables:

5.2.1. Age: Participants' age serves as a control variable, considering its potential influence on
mental health outcomes. Older individuals might have different coping mechanisms or social
media usage patterns compared to younger individuals.

5.2.2. Gender: Gender serves as another control variable due to its known associations with both
social media usage patterns and mental health outcomes.

5.2.3. Experience of Online Harassment (Yes/No): This binary variable indicates whether
individuals have faced online harassment. It serves as a control variable to account for the potential
impact of negative online experiences on mental health.

5.3. Econometric Model:

 6. Empirical analysis and findings

6.1. Results and Explanatory Ability

The empirical analysis reveals significant correlations between social media usage and mental
health outcomes. Specifically, higher daily social media usage is associated with poorer sleep
quality, decreased physical activity level, and lower mental health status. Moreover, certain
demographic factors such as age and gender also play a role in moderating these effects.

6.2. Supporting hypothesis

Based on the stated null and alternative hypotheses, the analysis aimed to assess the impact of
daily social media usage on mental health status. The null hypothesis posited that there is no effect
of daily social media usage on mental health status, while the alternative hypothesis proposed that
such usage does indeed influence mental health status. The observed strong negative correlation
between daily social media usage and mental health status suggests that as usage increases, mental
health tends to decrease. Furthermore, the extremely low p-value signifies that the likelihood of
such a correlation occurring by chance is minimal, providing compelling evidence to reject the
null hypothesis (H0). Therefore, the findings support the alternative hypothesis (H1), indicating a
significant association between daily social media usage and mental health status.

6.3. Policy recommendations

6.3.1. Mitigating Negative Effects

6.3.2. Promoting Positive Usage
6.3.3. Targeted Support Programs
 7. Conclusion

This study delved into the intricate interplay between social media engagement and mental
health outcomes among young adults, with a keen focus on discerning how varied usage
patterns impact indicators like depression, anxiety, social isolation, sleep quality, and self-
esteem. Leveraging data garnered through a SurveyMonkey questionnaire, comprehensive
regression analysis was employed to unravel the complex relationships while controlling for
demographic and lifestyle variables. The findings underscored a robust association between
heightened social media engagement and adverse mental health consequences, elucidating how
increased frequency and prolonged duration of usage correlated with elevated levels of
depression, anxiety, compromised sleep quality, and diminished self-esteem. Additionally, the
study identified demographic factors such as age and physical activity as significant
contributors to mental health outcomes, underscoring the multifaceted nature of the issue.
These insights highlight the imperative for tailored interventions and regulatory measures to
mitigate the negative impacts of social media on mental well-being, while also advocating for
longitudinal research to elucidate the long-term effects of digital interactions.

BIBLIOGRAPHIC CITATION

Primack, B. A., Shensa, A., Sidani, J. E., Whaite, E. O., Lin, L. Y., Rosen, D., ... & Miller, E.
(2017). Social media use and perceived social isolation among young adults in the U.S.
American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 53(1), 1-8.

Twenge, J. M., Campbell, W. K., & Martin, G. N. (2018). Decreases in psychological well-
being among American adolescents after 2012 and links to screen time during the rise of
smartphone technology. Emotion, 18(6), 765-780.

Kross, E., Verduyn, P., Demiralp, E., Park, J., Lee, D. S., Lin, N., ... & Ybarra, O. (2013).
Facebook use predicts declines in subjective well-being in young adults. PloS one, 8(8),
e69841.

Woods, H. C., & Scott, H. (2016). # Sleepyteens: Social media use in adolescence is
associated with poor sleep quality, anxiety, depression and low self-esteem. Journal of
Adolescence, 51, 41-49.
Lin, L. Y., Sidani, J. E., Shensa, A., Radovic, A., Miller, E., Colditz, J. B., ... & Primack, B.
A. (2016). Association between social media use and depression among U.S. young adults.
Depression and anxiety, 33(4), 323-331.

REFERENCE

https://www.kaggle.com/datasets/souvikahmed071/social-media-and-mental-health/data