THE USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA AND ITS EFFECT ON ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION AMONGST EMERGING ADULTS IN FAKO DIVISION, CAMEROON
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31149/ijnps.v4i7.2950Keywords:
Social Media Use, Anxiety, Depression, Emerging Adults, Mental Health, CameroonAbstract
The swift expansion of social media has transformed communication patterns among young people, particularly emerging adults, raising concerns about its potential psychological effects. This study investigated the relationship between social media use and mental health outcomes, specifically anxiety and depression, among emerging adults in Fako Division, Cameroon. A quantitative cross-sectional survey design was employed, and data were collected from 312 emerging adults using structured questionnaires measuring the frequency of social media use as well as symptoms of anxiety and depression. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize patterns of social media use, while Pearson correlation and regression analyses were conducted to examine the relationship between the intensity of social media engagement and mental health outcomes. Findings indicated that respondents frequently used social media, primarily for communication with friends and family, information seeking, entertainment, and stress relief. The results revealed moderate positive relationships between social media use and anxiety (r = .48, p < .01) and between social media use and depression (r = .42, p < .01), suggesting that increased frequency of social media engagement is associated with higher levels of psychological distress. Regression analysis further showed that social media use significantly predicted anxiety (R² = .23) and depression (R² = .18), indicating that the intensity of social media use explains a notable proportion of variance in these mental health outcomes. These findings are consistent with Cognitive Behavioral Theory, Social Comparison Theory, and Emerging Adulthood Theory, which highlight how online social interactions, comparison processes, and developmental transitions may contribute to psychological vulnerability. The study concludes that while social media offers opportunities for social connectivity and information access, excessive or unregulated use may increase the risk of anxiety and depression among emerging adults. The study recommends digital literacy programs, mental health awareness initiatives, and interventions promoting balanced social media use among young people.
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