ASSOCIATION BETWEEN SOCIAL MEDIA AND PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTS AMONG ADOLESCENTS: SCHOOL-BASED CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY IN KATHMANDU CITY OF NEPAL

Abstract

Background: Social media are comprised of websites and software applications that enable users to create and share content or to participate in social networking. Inappropriate use of social media may lead to negative psychological effects. This study was designed to assess the psychological effects of social media among adolescent students of Grade 9 and 10 in Kathmandu city of Nepal

Methods: A cross-sectional school-based study was done among randomly sampled adolescent students (10-19 yrs) of Grade 9 and 10.  Total 318 sample size derived using the formula: n=z²pq/e2. Social Media Addiction Scale Student Form and Short Mood and Feelings Questionnaire were self-administered data collection tools.  The purpose of the study was explained to respondents. Ethical approval was obtained through the Ethical Review Board of Nepal Health Research Council. Data were analyzed on Scientific Package for Social Science version-20.

Results: About sixty-two percent of the adolescents had their cell phones and 88.1 percent had internet facilities in their houses. Forty-six percent of adolescents were possibly addicted to social media and 68.2 percent were probably depressed. Out of depressed adolescents, 64.4 percent of them had possibility of social media addiction. A significant association was observed between adolescents with their cell phone and social media addiction (p=0.037); social media addiction and depression (p <0.001).

Conclusions: Adolescents with their cell phones are associated with social media addiction and social media addiction is associated with depression, suggesting an urgent need to develop policies and programs to mitigate the negative psychological effects social media addiction.