Introduction: Social media use is widespread among young adults, offering social and informational benefits. However, intensive use may be associated with mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, lower self-esteem, and social isolation. Local data on these associations remain limited, highlighting the need for a targeted study.
Objective: To assess the impact of time spent on social media on mental health among young adults.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 200 young adults aged 18 to 35, recruited via a self-administered online questionnaire. Collected data included age, gender, education level, employment status, and the duration and type of social media use. Mental health indicators were assessed using standardized scales: PHQ-9 for depression, GAD-7 for anxiety, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale for self-esteem, and UCLA Loneliness Scale for social isolation. Statistical analyses included correlations (Pearson or Spearman) and multiple linear regressions adjusted for age, gender, and education level. Significance was set at p < 0.05.
Results: The study included 200 participants, with a mean age of 25.2 ± 4.1 years, 54% of whom were female. The average daily time spent on social media was 3.2 ± 1.5 hours, with 60% using it passively and 40% actively. Correlation analyses showed positive associations between time spent on social media and depression (PHQ-9, r = 0.30, p < 0.001) and anxiety (GAD-7, r = 0.27, p = 0.002), and negative associations with self-esteem (Rosenberg, r = -0.22, p = 0.004). Social media use was also positively correlated with social isolation (UCLA, r = 0.25, p = 0.003). After adjustment for age, gender, and education level, time spent on social media remained a significant predictor of depression (β = 0.28, p < 0.001) and anxiety (β = 0.24, p = 0.002), indicating that intensive use is linked to higher psychological risk and lower psychological well-being.
Conclusion: Among young adults, intensive social media use is associated with increased anxiety and depressive symptoms, lower self-esteem, and greater social isolation. These findings underscore the need for awareness and preventive strategies to promote balanced and healthy social media use.
Keywords: Social media, mental health, depression, anxiety, self-esteem, social isolation, cross-sectional study
ZIZI Hasna
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