THE EFFECTS OF SOCIAL MEDIA ON MENTAL HEALTH OF STUDENTS IN UNIVERSITIES

1.1 Introduction

Mental health problems represent a potentially important but relatively unexplored factor in explaining human capital accumulation during college. It is well recognized that mental health plays a beneficial role in one's entire social, economic, and individual growth. The capacity to adapt to one's surroundings and cope with a variety of issues is a sign of mental wellness. The performance outcomes that show a student's unique performance graph in school, college, and university are linked to academic accomplishment. Healthy family structures, strong communities, and improved learning environments all contribute to kids' improved mental health.

This chapter will address the background information that motivated this study, the challenges that prompted it, its aim, and its objectives as a preface to subsequent sections of the study. Additional factors include the study's significance, scope, limitations, research questions and hypotheses, and the definition of technical terms.

1.2 Background of Study

In the media nowadays, mental health-related topics are frequently used as propaganda, both domestically and internationally. A person's everyday thoughts, feelings, and behaviours are influenced by their mental state. Low assurance, anguish, anxiety, self-mutilation, and insignificant, indiscreet, and reckless behaviours are common mental health problems in school understudies (Cook et al., 2007; Tayama et al., 2019). Prolonged and excessive stress can negatively impact students' physical and mental health as well as their academic performance (Beiter et al., 2015).

People of all ages are using social media and the internet more often due to the rapid advancement of technology (Bozzola et al., 2018). The way individuals connect and communicate has significantly changed as a result of social media and online social networking, however it is unknown if some of these changes may have an impact on typical human behaviour and lead to psychiatric problems (Pantic, 2019).

Research on social media usage and self-esteem has been connected in adult studies; however, there may be more substantial health implications in children (Richards et al., 2015). The definitions and conceptions of social media are numerous. "A group of Internet-based applications that allow the creation and exchange of user-generated content" is the most basic definition of social media (SM) according to Kaplan and Haenlein (2010) and Primack and Escobar-Viera (2017). Students are using social media more and more. While children and Student's health and well-being can benefit from social media use, there are hazards associated with it for these susceptible populations (Richards et al., 2015).

According to O'Keeffe and Clarke-Pearson (2011), however, it can potentially pose a risk to teenagers. Utilizing digital technology and social media has been shown to have both positive and negative effects on people's ability to learn, as well as improve communication and expand their social network. These benefits and risks have been documented by Clifton et al. (2013), affecting school performance, increasing social anxiety and loneliness, and improving communication. However, there are also serious psychosocial consequences that can result from using these technologies, such as anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances, severe isolation, and suicide (Primack and Escobar-Viera, 2017).

Students who perceive high levels of stress may often become depressed. Students suffering from anxiety and depression may also be at risk of poor academic performance. Likewise, data from the American College Health Association (2013) reveal that high levels of stress among students interfere with the academic performance and achievements. Conversely, Stupnisky, Perry, Renaud, and Hladkyj (2013) stated that students who exhibit a low level of stress do well academically. During the transition from adolescence to adulthood, the failure to use adaptive coping strategies may further result in stress, anxiety, and depression.

Several institutional and personal factors have been linked with mental health problems of medical students. These include a highly stressful environment competitiveness, excessive workload, sleep deprivation and peer pres- sure (Pacheco et al., 2017). Furthermore, socio-demographic factors that have been associated with mental health problems among medical students include: being female, younger students and students in the early years of medical school (Coentre et al., 2016).

Mental health problems affect student’s capacity to organize highly demanding study hours, socialize, and perform academically and this could affect patient care, since empathy and professionalism might be impaired (Pacheco et al., 2017). Most of these studies were conducted in industrialized countries where the learning atmosphere is different and more comfortable than what obtains in the developing countries.

In terms of code, icon, symbol, construction, and function, social media platforms such as Facebook, Blogger, Twitter, Flickr, YouTube, Second Life, and others are more sophisticated than their functional environments. One may argue that social media represents the modern patterns of social and economic structures. They may be characterised as including all mobile and web-based networks that provide free interactive access. One person may explore, comment on, and update material for other users in different areas of the network, as well as converse with other users regarding this medium and the content that is offered, thanks to the unrestricted access.

Instead, many view the Internet as a new social environment, social network, global communication platform, space for science and education, or a place for recreational activities like online gaming with other users. Through the ubiquitous communication tools of the Internet, including blogs, chat rooms, instant messaging, e-mail, and bulletin boards, teenagers are essentially creating their own virtual spaces.

Therefore, in Nigeria where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to know the Effects of Social Media on Mental Health of Students in Universities.

1.3 Statement of Problems

Investigation revealed that social media may be a significant issue in managing the mental health crisis among Students in Nigeria. This is because the negative attitudes of other social media users may exacerbate the condition of Students with mental health disorders or even produce mental health problems in Students. Social media users under the age of majority may encounter harassment, humiliation, and unfavourable comments on their posts. Comparing their sense of self and level of enjoyment with other users may also cause discomfort for some people (Belluomini, 2015). Psychological morbidity in undergraduate students represents a neglected public health problem and holds major implications for campus health services and mental policy-making (Poch et al., 2004; Stewart-Brown et al., 2000).

Adlaf et al. (2001) found a prominent inverse relationship between year of study and mental health in university students, those at greatest risk being first-year students.

Negative social media habits can also lead to feelings of loneliness, melancholy, and mood swings because of the unfavourable things users come across when browsing through social media (Belluomini, 2015). According to recent research, more people with mental illnesses are having access to social networking sites (Firth et al. 2015).

Furthermore, there is undocumented high level of mental health illiteracy and lack of awareness concerning mental health issues among the students in which they prefer traditional medication as opposed to the hospital when treating mental disorders. This has led to the loss of many lives of the patients, escalation of the symptoms while others are taken to the hospital when it is already too late, being left to loiter in the world without anyone to take care of them or being chained in their homes to prevent harm and attacks.

1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study

The aim of the study is to investigate the Effects of Social Media on Mental Health of Students in Universities using Imo State University (IMSU) as a case study. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:

1. To examine the impact of social media on mental health stigma among University Students’ academic performance;
2. To determine the relationship between social media usage and increase of mental health of University Students;
3. To examine the prevalence of mental health issues among University Students using social media;
4. To assess the factors contributing to the mental health stigma among University Students; and
5. To determine the role of social media as a factor contributing to the mental health stigma among University Students.

1.5 Research Questions

The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research questions for the study are stated below as follows:

• Is there prevalence of mental health issues among University Students using social media?
• Does mental health issue affect the students’ academic performance?
• Are there factors contributing to the mental health stigma among University Students?
• What is the relationship between social media usage and increase of mental health of University Students?
• What is the role of social media as a factor contributing to the mental health stigma among University Students?

1.6 Research Hypothesis

In order to pursue the objective of this study, the following generalized statements have been designed to guide and aids in obtaining the result for the experiment to be conducted. For this work, the null hypothesis will be represented with H0 while the alternative hypothesis will be represented with hypothesis H1.

Hypothesis One

• H0: There is low prevalence of mental health issues among University Students using social media platform
• H1: There is high prevalence of mental health issues among University Students using social media platform

Hypothesis Two

• H0: There is no significant impact of social media on mental health stigma among University Students
• H1: There is a significant impact of social media on mental health stigma among University Students

Hypothesis Three

• H0: There is no significant relationship between social media usage and increase of mental health of University Students
• H1: There is a significant relationship between social media usage and increase of mental health of University Students

1.7 Significance of Study

The study will be of importance to health experts as it will proffer solutions to ending mental health stigma among the University Students. It will also aid the policymakers to formulate better responsive policies that will enable adequate budget allocation, proper staffing and procurement of medical equipment, medical supplies, and school community sensitization.

Additionally, for the academicians, this study highlights on the mental health epidemic among the students of IMSU, emphasizing on the data for further studies in this area.

Finally, it will be extremely helpful to other researchers who want to learn more about it, and non-researchers can utilize it to further their own research endeavours. This work advances knowledge and may function as a model for future research.

1.8 Scope of Study

The scope of the research is focused on the Effects of Social Media on Mental Health of Students in Universities using Imo State University (IMSU) as a case study.

1.9 Limitations of the Study

During the course of this study, there were some problems encountered which stood as limitations to the research work. Some of the limitations include:

1. Time Constraint:The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
2. Research Material: availability of research material is a major setback to the scope of the study.
3. Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).
4. Initial Cooperation Delay from Respondents: A particular limitation of this work came as a result of the respondent refusal to offer their cooperation at the initial time they were contacted. This contributed in making the success of this research study difficult.

1.10 Definition of Terms

Mental Health:

Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being.

Depression:

It refers to mental health disorder characterized by persistently depressed mood or loss of interest in activities, causing significant impairment in daily.

Social Media:

It is computer-based technology that facilitates the sharing of ideas, thoughts, and information through the building of virtual networks and communities. By design, social media is internet-based and gives users quick electronic communication of content.