Final Year Project
Submitted to
ICHAS
By: Laura Willoughby
Counselling and Psychotherapy (Hons)
Michelle Stone
May 6th, 2022
Table of Contents
Abstract.....................................................................................................3
Introduction...............................................................................................4
Literature Review......................................................................................4
Methods....................................................................................................9
Conclusion................................................................................................10
References.................................................................................................12
Appendices................................................................................................15
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The relationship between social media and the increase in mental health problems.
Abstract/Student’s Statement
In an analysis from Kepios in April of 2022, it shows that there are approximately 4.65 billion
(Global Social Media Statistics…, 2022) social media users across the world. This equals about
58.7% of the world’s total population. And, the reports also show that since April of 2021 the
numbers have increased with over 326 million new users joining some type of social media
platform. In Ireland alone, by January of 2021 there were approximately 3.79 million social
media users. According to the report, social media users in Ireland increased by 110 thousand
(+3.1%) between 2020 and 2021. The number of social media users in Ireland was equivalent to
76.4% of the world’s population in January 2021. How then, does social media use affect a
person’s mental health? It is safe to say that with social media use on the rise among so many
people, it is important to understand the potential adverse effects of that use so that possible
guidelines and interventions can be implemented during that social media useage? Is it fair to say
that social media will have an adverse affect on those vulnerable and already prone to mental
health issues with excessive social media useage or with moderate use? This proposed study will
be used to determine what kind of effects social media will have over a 30-day period on mental
health. This proposed study will examine the effects of using Instagram, Facebook and TikTok
using volunteers to participate in sharing their social media platforms and by assessing their
mental health through Kessler’s Psychological Distress Scale (Appendix A) and Rosenberg’s
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Self-Esteem Scale (Appendix B). Through this proposed study we would hope to provide
valuable information to help revise or strengthen social media’s standards and possible
interventions for the mental health of those affected in a negative manner by that use.
Introduction
Humans are gregarious creatures. Humans have formed groupings or clans for comfort and
sociability since the dawn of recorded history, according to extensive research. Society has
progressed to its current position by forming bonds with other people. Companionship is
necessary for everyone's well-being on this planet. People learn from one other, discover new
things from each other, and, maybe most importantly, aim to be happy through one another. What
happens, though, when individuals socialize online through platforms like Facebook, Instagram,
and TikTok? According to studies, being publicly shunned has a significant negative impact on
our mental health. Furthermore, research have shown that when it comes to serving others,
people lose sight of their humanity. Furthermore, research has found that while people are on
social media, they are more likely to be depressed, as they become desensitized to other people,
they lose sight of their actual goodness toward others and can become very cruel. I will evaluate
past studies and then perform my own research on how social media platforms affect people's
mental health in both positive and negative ways in this study into how social media platforms
affect people's mental health.
Literary review
Generally speaking, being socially connected to other people is a positive event in which people
can feel better, be better, and relieve stress together. However, usually, a lack of being connected
to other people can have a damaging affect on the mental health and well-being of people.
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According to, ‘The Hidden Damage of Solitary Confinement’ (Knowledgeable Magazine. 2018.)
‘Prisoners held for long periods in solitary confinement at Pelican Bay State Prison in
California report nearly twice the number of symptoms of stress and trauma, and with higher
frequency (as noted by intensity), compared with the general prisoner population, research by
Craig Haney has shown.’ and specific to Ireland, according to a UCD case study entitled, ‘Out of
sight, out of mind: changing public perceptions…’ (UCD Casestudy. 2021) ‘In Ireland in 2018,
over 70% of prisoners in solitary confinement, and 8% of the general prison population, suffered
severe and disabling mental illnesses, a phenomenon heavily criticised by the United Nations.’
any person segregated from a general population will suffer the consequences of mental health
issues. Perhaps this study makes a strong case for social media activity. Giving people a way to
not feel alone or lonely by interconnecting with other humans seem to be such a great way to
increase positive mental health. But is it? So now the question becomes, how will social media, a
platform designed for interconnecting people around the world affect their mental health? There
is strong evidence of both positive and negative effects on a person’s mental health after
prolonged exposure. And, what is prolonged exposure? Would 30 days on social media affect
your thoughts or personal self image? Next, how much time a day would you need to spend in
that overall 30 days before your thoughts and feelings may be swayed? How exactly does using
social media influence a person’s thought patterns and does it matter about the mental capacity
and condition before they come to social media? Also, if interventions are placed on specific
posts or topics are we removing the right to express the views of individuals? How does social
media affect the mental health of society? What influences our emotional, psychological, and
social well-being is referred to as mental health. The mental health of a person is significant
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since it has a negative impact on their thoughts, feelings, and actions, which in turn influences
their choices. Biological variables, trauma, abuse, stress, and basic encounters are just a few of
the many contributing aspects to mental health. A person must be attentive of their mental health
in the same way that they must be mindful of their physical health. In general, sustaining a robust
and positive mental health can be attributed to social networking. The quality and quantity of
socializing in one's environment can have a significant impact on one's mental health.
Knowledge, attitudes, and self-efficacy can all benefit from mental health training. However,
improvements tend to fade over time, and it's unclear how gatekeeping behavior is altered. The
nature of social media is that it reinforces itself. It works by releasing dopamine, a "feel-good
chemical" associated to enjoyable activities like sex, eating, and social interaction, into the
brain's reward region. The platforms are intended to be addictive, and they have been linked to
anxiety, despair, and even physical illnesses.
Teens and children are also a high risk group from negative mental health issues after prolonged
use with social media sites. A review from Luke Summerville and Eavan Brady in Volume 33,
Issue 2 of the Journal for Social Work Practice, states that teens and young people's use of social
networking sites has been linked to a variety of dangers and advantages, some of which are
particularly important to young people who seek child and adolescent mental health services
(CAMHS). As a result, knowing how and why young people use Social Network Sites, as well as
the hazards and advantages that come with it, may become a more significant aspect of CAMHS
social work. The idea of social media being detrimental to the well being and mental health of
young people, as well as adults, even sparked a recovery model to be penned by the Irish Mental
Health Services in 2008. Written by Dr. Agnes Higgins for the Mental Health Commission, the
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55 page report states that recovery is necessary and individually internal. Young people and
adults who have been exposed to social media platforms and suffer from depressions, anxiety’s
and low self-esteems are able seek out a mental health care professional for support.
And the mental health of people around the world using social media is growing. According to
the Pew Research Center, social media is used by 69 percent of adults and 81 percent of youths
in the United States. As a result, a huge portion of the population is at danger of becoming
anxious, depressed, or unwell as a result of their social media use.
But what keeps people coming back for more, despite the fact that it can literally make them
sick? Well, according to Jacqueline Sperling, PhD, a psychologist at McLean Hospital, when the
outcome is unknown, people are more likely to repeat their conduct. It is like playing a
gambling/slot machine: if the people playing knew they would never win any money by playing
the game, then they just would not play. The prospect of a future payment motivates people to
use the machines. The same can be said for social media sites because a person cannot predict
how many likes or loves a post will receive, who will respond, or even when the post will receive
a response. Users can stay engaged by the prospect of a desired outcome. FOMO (fear of missing
out) is also a factor. If everyone else is using social media sites, there's a fear that they may miss
out on something they think they should know, such as jokes, or invites. Anxiety and despair will
then result from a lack of being included. When people see that they are not included from an
activity on the social media site, it can damage their thoughts and feelings, and even their
physical health. A 2018 British study linked social media use to sleep disruption, delay, and
depression, all of which are linked to depression, memory loss, and poor academic performance.
Even more directly, social media use can have an impact on users' physical health. Researchers
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have discovered that the mind-gut connection can cause nausea, headaches, muscle tension, and
tremors as a result of anxiety and despair.
In this research, the problems surrounding the negative impacts of social media on mental health
are the main focus. In a review by the National Library of Medicine (PubMed Central. 2020.) I
quote researchers as stating, ‘The Displaced Behavior Theory may help explain why social media
shows a connection with mental health. According to the theory, people who spend more time in
sedentary behaviors such as social media use have less time for face-to-face social interaction,
both of which have been proven to be protective against mental disorders.’ This study also
indicates that prolonged use of social media can create very negative thoughts and feelings as
well as overwhelming risks of depression, anxiety and stress. The popular platforms can cause a
huge pressure in certain people to create a persona that is not necessarily their own in order to
present a lifestyle of being popular and well-liked when that may not be the case in their real life.
Studies and research are important pieces of determining how social media affects the mental
health of a person. Out of the studies on mental health relatively few were on social media and
that is probably because social media is so new to the mental health forum. This will need to be
explored more intently for further accurate information on the subject. However, for this
particular paper, over 63 resources were searched, including through Google Scholar, with 29
being relative to the subject matter.
Unfortunately, most of the research indicated a negative impact on mental health through the
social media platforms, however, not all resources were in fact negative. Not surprisingly, videos
on social media sites such as YouTube provide a positive commentary by featuring animal and
other assorted fun loving videos for entertainment that promote laughing. The Mayo Clinic
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reports that laughter can be a great stress reducer, therefore social media can most definitely
affect mental health in a positive way. Though most of the research was hugely in favor of social
media bringing a negative impact to a person’s mental health, there was a shimmer of light in the
few articles that promoted social media sites as being used for positive and fun mental health
breaks.
Research Strategy
In conclusion, though it seems as though social media sites are the devil incarnate, it can be said
that they can also provide some positive mental health. There are interactive sites where peoI
chose a quantitative research strategy using the collection of data through surveys and interviews
to obtain real time information on how social media affects the mental health of men and women
between the ages of 18 and 60. Quantitative research methods focus on objective measurements
and statistical, mathematical, or numerical analysis of data acquired through polls,
questionnaires, and surveys, as well as modifying pre-existing statistical data using computing
tools. The survey helped me to determine whether mental health was effected by use of social
media platforms as well as how much use was needed before mental health was affected at all.
The interviews assisted in gauging which gender and which age groups were affected most and
how so.
Methodology and Design
The goal of this research is to determine the link between self-esteem and the amount of time
spent on social media. I will conduct research by using an online survey application to conduct
surveys utilizing questions in order to meet the goal. The impact of social media on self-esteem
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levels will be investigated using a quantitative survey method. Using a preset tool, the Rosenberg
self-esteem scale, to measure the participants' self-esteem levels, and then asking them questions
about their social media usage. The researcher looked at the link between self-esteem and the
amount of time spent on social media, as well as the motivations and gratifications for doing so.
The quantitative research method will require objective, unbiased data collection. Employing a
quantitative research approach, which assesses consumer behavior, opinions, knowledge, and
attitudes, as well as the link between them.
The online survey tool will be used to poll a target sample of 100 participants aged 18 to 60 years
old. I'll visit consenting classes to collect data using the online survey tool, give a brief
presentation about the project, and then give the students the link to the survey. The survey will
include questions on their perception of their mental health and confidence factors. Then the
participants will be broken up into two groups of 50 participants each. For 30 consecutive days
one group of students will be chosen to go about their social media in the normal way they
traditionally use. However at the end of each week, they will be asked to increase their usage by
1 hour a day. The other group will be instructed to post on their social media accounts specific
postings. Alternating weeks, the second group will post popular opinion posts as well as
unpopular opinion posts. Comments and responses will be read.
At the end of the 30-days, each participant will once again take confidence test and the scores
will be compared to their test prior to the postings. This will give us a small idea of how mental
health is truly affected by the social media sites.
Lastly, I will interview all the participants and gather information about how they felt as they
posted. What they expected to happen and what the true outcomes were. I will explore their
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thoughts and feelings as they describe how they felt when they posted. Especially, did they
consider the thoughts and feelings of the person receiving the messages they posted, whether the
messages were positive or negative towards the receiver. I will let the participants talk directly to
each other and listen to how they reflect and give feedback to their peers. Part of the study will
be to determine is it just easier to be mean while you hide behind a keyboard.
Conclusion
ple can find a much needed laugh or a game to help them relax after a long hard day. And these
are good! But unfortunately much of the research found seems to indicate that social media sites
can be very detrimental to the minds of people who prolong their use of social media or who
enter the sites looking for acceptance. Multiple studies across Ireland and the world have taken in
to account the harm done through cyber-bullying or cruel remarks that promote body shaming
and the removal of being unique instead of conforming. There are ways to protect your mental
health and the mental health of your children should a person continue to be attracted to social
media platforms. Social media should be taken with a grain of salt, so to speak. In small doses
and with the understanding that as personalities are different across all people that posts and
opinions will all be different as well. You can also limit the amount of time you spend on social
media, choosing instead to find time with other family members or friends or even reading a
good book instead of engaging with the world wide web. In addition, when finding yourself on
the social media sites it may be a good idea to stop and think before you post or respond to others
on the site. Would you want the words you are about to type to said to you? Are the words kind
and encouraging or or they hurtful? I believe that if each person on social media remembered to
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use their manners and consider the feelings of the people they are interacting with then the face
of social media could be changed to a more mild and enjoyable activity.
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APPENDIX A
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APPENDIX B
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