research article review example

research article review example

The Impact of Social Media on Mental Health

1. Introduction

The focus of the project is to assess the need for influencing social media, where resource sharing is feasible and has the potential to help individuals in distress improve their mental health. In particular, we aim to understand how users of social media with mental health difficulties make use of online support and resources, and to develop a resource that can be tested in a feasibility study. Social media is being used in various forms and has a great impact on mental health across all age groups. People have been using these social media websites in different ways to improve their mental health. The frequency and type of social media use depend on the concerns and advantages of individuals. This will be the initial focus of the analysis of social media use and development of the resource. We are aware that there may be adverse effects of using this method, such as a person with depression being more likely to access social media at 3am instead of seeking support from a real-life friend. This can increase feelings of isolation and disrupt sleeping patterns. It is anticipated that the study will uncover various negative and self-harming methods of social media use. Despite this, the research is focused on developing a positive intervention using an easily accessible and widely used medium. Various psychiatric medications and their adverse effects play a major role in deteriorating mental health. It is common for a person suffering from depression to have low motivation and energy to seek support or further information about their condition. They are likely to come across social media websites while searching for resources and information, using search terms related to their personal experiences of symptoms and emotional state. These individuals are vulnerable to triggers of negative and distressing content on various websites. A recent study states that the use of the internet is likely to cause harm to individuals with mental health problems. However, with the continuous increase in internet use over the years, it is vital to provide an alternative information source in a familiar and comfortable environment. This has led us to understand that the development of the resource can be a method of prevention, by guiding users to access our targeted support resources in a safer and more controlled environment.

2. Negative Effects of Social Media on Mental Health

In terms of loneliness, social media has the potential to negatively affect an individual. The concept of social media providing a means of “connection” is a shallow and unsustainable method if relied upon as the sole means of communication. This can be seen in one study from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine that found 18 to 30 year olds using social media more than two hours per day were twice as likely to feel socially isolated than those who used it less often. High use of social media not only leads to increased feelings of loneliness, but it can also lead to a decrease in social skills. A Finnish study involving 7000 participants observed that individuals who are overly dependent on social media may subconsciously compare their lives and the lives of others. This can lead to harmful effects on self-esteem, triggering a decline into depression and in extreme cases, suicidal thoughts.

Although the negative effects of social media are widely known, it is important to comprehend these issues and identify methods to counteract the potential harm. Loneliness, depression, and anxiety have all been linked to social media overuse. These harmful effects are widely seen in today’s society, and should be addressed to allow for a balanced view of the impact of social media.

3. Positive Effects of Social Media on Mental Health

Psychological research has shown that engaging in prosocial behavior leads to increased well-being, physical health, and longevity. Acts of kindness towards others promote higher self-esteem, self-efficacy, and a sense of belonging. What many do not realize is that social networking websites can offer the same benefits. In an environment where time and effort can be as beneficial as money to a charity, providing emotional and social relief to others can markedly improve the sense of purpose and fulfillment in one’s own life. For instance, providing emotional support online can lead to a heightened sense of autonomy, control, and the ability to effect social change on a global level, while offering social support to friends increases the sense of closeness and intimacy in relationships. At its best, online communication can have a profoundly positive effect on the lives of those who are dealing with feelings of depression and social anxiety. These people often feel safer and more accepted in an online environment where there is less risk of stigma and discrimination. They can form supportive relationships which help to improve their overall psychological well-being. A study conducted by Steffen and Witte in 2009, presented at the Annual Conference of the National Communication Association, found that when using the internet to seek social support, individuals with positive connections to their social groups experienced lower levels of depression and anxiety. Published on the NCA website, the study concluded that for those with supportive online friends, the online environment remains an important tool to increase psychological well-being. These results show that there are many situations where social media can have a positive impact on an individual’s mental state.

4. Strategies to Promote Healthy Social Media Use

Step one is to set concise and achievable goals about using social media to stay connected. Goals might include using Facebook to wish others a happy birthday, congratulate others on their achievements, and to comment on photos posted by friends. Step two is to reflect on the time spent using social media to see if goals are being achieved. If goals are not being achieved, then the uses of social media may be unsuitable and it may be wise to cut back. Step three is to evaluate the overall benefits of social media use on feelings of connectedness and loneliness. If the benefits are significant, then maintaining a certain level of social media use may be warranted. If the benefits are minimal, then it may be worth considering other strategies to stay connected. Step four is to continuously monitor and adjust the use of social media to be conducive to feeling connected and preventing feelings of loneliness. This may require reducing or increasing use depending on the circumstances (Auspitz, 2011).

Find the right amount. Auspitz (2011) suggests that individuals need to find the right balance of social media use. It should not be so infrequent that the potential benefits are lost, and it should not be so frequent that time with others is disrupted. This strategy falls in line with the uses and gratifications theory proposed by Katz (1959). He suggests that individuals select media that will satisfy their needs and therefore, to use media effectively we need to consider what we want to achieve and select the appropriate media to do so.

The following recommendations are not a comprehensive list, nor are they mutually exclusive, but they do provide a structure for individuals to consider how they currently use social media, and may assist in reducing the risk of negative outcomes.

Research has shown that when social media use displaces time spent on meaningful face-to-face interactions, it can result in an increase in feelings of loneliness. This, in turn, can contribute to…

5. Conclusion

Study one focuses on how lower self-esteem and bad body image in adolescent girls are related to the use of social media. The girls’ ages ranged from 13-17 years old. The primary concern was the overall use of social media and the type of social media being used, and how it affected their mental health. They hypothesized that girls who spend more time on social media looking at pictures for appearance information have a more negative physical self-concept over time (Guo & p.1). During this study, they asked the girls to display the amount of usage and type of usage of social media. The girls that spent a lot of time on social media and viewed pictures of celebrities or other peers reported that they felt lower self-esteem and therefore a lower physical concept over time. Although this study was a longitudinal one, Guo et al. did a similar study 2 years later on the same topic. The results showed no change, indicating that negative body concept and self-esteem are something that doesn’t change over a short period but in fact ages with the girls as they get older. It was confirmed that there was a direct correlation between bad body image and lower self-esteem, due to the fact that one is how they view themselves and the other is how they view their self-concept.

Social media has emerged as one of the most popular forms of socialization in our society. Due to the constant interaction and instant feedback on a person’s life, it can leave them experiencing negative emotions such as lowered self-esteem, anxiety, and depression. Many studies have been conducted about the overuse of social media and the effects it has on mental health. This essay has implemented two different studies that reflect on how social media can affect mental health in different age groups and diverse attitudes. Both studies confirm that the prolonged use of social media increases the likelihood of mental health issues. These mental health issues can affect a person’s way of thinking, daily mood, and overall quality of life.