Dynamic Higher Education Thesis

Social Media Use and Its Connection to Mental Health:A Systematic Review

by: Group 7

XX/XX/20XX

by: -Fazida Karim-Azeezat A. Oyewande -Lamis F. Abdalla -Reem Chaudhry Ehsanullah-Safeera Khan

TABLE OF CONTENTS

01.Type of research

05.Relevance

05.Reflection

04.Key findings/ results

03.Methodology

02.purpose

Type of research

quantitative or qualitative?

01

01. type of research

+ Info

why quantitative?

The study is quantitative because it involves the collection and analysis of numerical data from various studies. Researchers focus on measurable variables like time spent on social media, frequency of use, and mental health indicators such as depression, anxiety, or well-being, all of which can be quantified. Many reviews use meta-analysis, a statistical method that combines the results of multiple studies to identify trends. The review is also correlational, as it examines the relationship between social media use and mental health without proving causality, focusing on patterns of association rather than direct cause-and-effect conclusions.

purpose

why did this research start?

02

The purpose of the study was to systematically review the literature on the impact of social media use on mental health, specifically focusing on its association with anxiety and depression. The researchers aimed to address a gap in understanding, as previous studies largely concentrated on medical aspects rather than social implications. By aggregating various studies, the research sought to clarify how social media affects mental health, identify patterns, and highlight the need for further investigation into causal relationships. Ultimately, the study aimed to inform both medical and social science communities about the complexities of social media's influence on mental well-being.

02. purpose

methodology

03

+ Info

+ Info

03. methodology

The study employed a systematic review to analyze the impact of social media on mental health, using Google Scholar as the primary database. The search, based on keywords like “social media”, “mental health”, “social media” AND “mental health”, “social networking” AND “mental health”, and “social networking” OR “social media” AND “mental health,” initially yielded over 877,000 results, which were narrowed down to 50 articles. After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria (includes peer-reviewed, full-text, English articles from the last five years, and any non-peer-reviewed and duplicate papers were excluded from finally selected articles), 28 articles were shortlisted, and finally after filtering once more, 16 papers were selected for the review.

key findings/results

04

04. key findings/ results

The study found a general association between social media use and mental health issues, particularly anxiety and depression. Time spent on social media, along with passive activities like reading posts, correlated with increased symptoms of anxiety and depression. Factors such as social media addiction and activity level were linked to psychological distress. However, results were mixed, with some studies showing no direct relationship. Females were more likely to experience mental health issues related to social media. The findings suggest a need for further exploration of causal relationships, and interpersonal trust and family functioning were identified as significant influences on depression beyond social media use.

relevance

why research about this?

05

With millions using these platforms, understanding its potential impact on mental health is crucial. The review is valuable as it synthesizes existing research, clarifying whether social media use is linked to issues like anxiety, depression, loneliness, or low self-esteem. Its insights can inform healthcare professionals, policymakers, educators, and the public, guiding future research, mental health interventions, and social media policies. It also helps identify vulnerable groups, contributing to targeted prevention and treatment strategies. Ultimately, the study advances our understanding of the complex relationship between digital behavior and mental health.

05. Relevance

social media's growing influence

critical Reflection

06

The study's methodology had strengths, such as providing a comprehensive overview of existing literature, but it faced limitations due to the predominance of cross-sectional studies, which cannot establish causality. A critical reflection suggests that incorporating a phenomenological approach could enhance the research. This qualitative method would allow for an in-depth exploration of individuals' lived experiences regarding social media's impact on their mental health. By focusing on personal narratives, a phenomenological study could provide insights into emotional effects and social interactions, enriching the overall understanding of the observed trends and informing more effective interventions

06. critical reflection

The study's methodology had strengths, such as providing a comprehensive overview of existing literature, but it faced limitations due to the predominance of cross-sectional studies, which cannot establish causality. A critical reflection suggests that incorporating a phenomenological approach could enhance the research. This qualitative method would allow for an in-depth exploration of individuals' lived experiences regarding social media's impact on their mental health. By focusing on personal narratives, a phenomenological study could provide nuanced insights into emotional effects and social interactions, enriching the overall understanding of the observed trends and informing more effectively.

Thank you for listening!

"All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them." -Walt Disney

Causality is an influence in which when a event, or process (cause) contributes to the production of another event (effect)

The research was conducted to identify studies analyzing the role of social media on mental health. Google Scholar was used as our main database to find the relevant articles. Keywords that were used for the search were: (1) "social media", (2) "mental health", (3) "social media" AND "mental health", (4) "social networking" AND "mental health", and (5) "social networking" OR "social media" AND "mental health" (Table 1).