IMPACTS OF SOCIAL MEDIA ON SOCIAL BEHAVIOR AND MENTAL

HEALTH AMONG UNVERSITY GRADUATE STUDENTS

BY

MARYAM NAWAZ

DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY UNIVERSITY

Govt.Graduate College For Women Sargodha

Affiliated With University of Sargodha

(2017-2021)
IMPACTS OF SOCIAL MEDIA ON SOCIAL BEHAVIOR AND MENTAL

HEALTH AMONG UNVERSITY GRADUATE STUDENTS

BY

MARYAM NAWAZ

Approved by

Supervisor

-----------------------------------------------

Chairperson

(Department of Psychology)

External Examiner

----- ---------------------------------------
 CERTIFICATE

It is certified that BS dissertation titled “impacts of social media on social

behavior and mental health among university graduate students’’ prepared
by Maryam Nawaz has been approved for submission to University of
Sargodha, Sargodha.

Sana Rasheed

Supervisor
DECLARATION
1. I know that Plagiarism is wrong and immoral. I understand that
Plagiarism is to use another’s work and pretend that it is one’s
own. This means that you present substantial portions or elements
of another’s work, ideas or data as your own, even if the original
author is cited occasionally.
2. I have used the APA formatting (as adopted by this Department)
for citation and referencing. Each significant contribution to, and
quotation in, this essay/ report/ project from the work or works, of
other people has been attributed, cited and referenced
appropriately.
3. This BS dissertation is my own work.
4. I have not allowed, and will not allow anyone to copy my work
with the intention of passing it off as his or her own work and all
the publication related to this work will only be authored by me
and my supervisor.
NAME Maryam Nawaz Signature

ROLL NO Session: 2017-2021 Date

List of contents Page no

Abstract

CHAPTER I: INTRODUCTION

Social Media.

Evolution of social media

Types of Social media

Theories of Social media

Gender differences in Social media

Social Behavior

Theories of Social behavior

Gender differences in social behavior

Mental health

Theories of mental health

Social media and social Behavior

Social media and mental health

Rationale

Objectives

Hypotheses

Operational definitions

Conceptual framework
CHAPTER II

Method

Research design

Sample

Frequency and percentage of participants

Instruments

Procedure

Statistical analysis

CHAPTER 4: RESULTS

Summary of the results

Result finding figures

CHAPTER 5; DISCUSSION

Conclusions

Limitations

Implications

REFRENCES

APPENDIX 4
 Acknowledgements

All praises are for Almighty Allah, whose blessing has been a continuous
source of elucidation and guidance for me to complete this dissertation.
Undoubtedly, this research could not have been realized and completed
without the support of my supervisor, Sana Rasheed who educated and
trained me. Truly, It was her guidance, patience and friendly attitude that
help me in completion of this thesis. I am also grateful to my friends
specially …..For his guidance and support that helped me in completion of
my thesis.

I am highly obliged to my parents who had blind faith in me and my

abilities, who always prayed for my success, supported morally and
financially and help me in every realm of my life. I am also grateful to my
friends specially .For his guidance, constant motivation and support that
helped me in completion of my thesis. At the end I extend my special
appreciation to the participants of the study who took time to complete the
questionnaire.

Maryam Nawaz
 Abstract

Social media being a powerful organized structure operating from bottom to high strata
of life. It has disseminated into our lives and we can’t get rid of it. Discourses regarding
social media’s connection with social behavior and mental health tend to execute a
debate. Either social media is affecting mental health and social behavior positively or
negatively. This study will analyze this ongoing debate from a new perspective by
presenting positive side of social media. This study is conducted 0n 250 university
student (male and female) aged from (18-25) studying in BS BA degree. They were
asked about their attitude towards social media, social behavior and mental health.
Correlation analysis indicates that social media is positively related to social behavior and
there is a positive correlation between social media and mental health. Also there is a
negative correlation between social behavior and mental health.

Keywords: Social Media, social Behavior, Mental health

 CHAPTER 1

Introduction

This study examined the academic relevance and impact of social media on University
student’s social behavior and mental health aged between 18-25 years. It will investigate
that how social media can formulate individual’s social behavior towards society. It will
analyze the situation regarding social media and objective discourses like the irregular
and unusual use of social media can damage the social i9nteraction within a community
and the mental health of university students that build a narrative by stating that social
media use ultimately leads towards depression, anxiety disorder, alienation and other
psychological disorders, affects their ability in academics as well. Clippinger states that
human beings have always lived in social circles and communities and have highly
cultured social and administrative institutions that formulate different forms of social
behavior. The need of social context is the reason behind social media phenomenon. It’s a
fact that social media has not only changed our manner of thinking but also governs and
formulate our social behavior and social construct as well. This dissertation would imply
a detailed analysis over the impacts of social media on individual and society by
illustrating the exact status of social media. Having the main focus upon individual’s
social behavior and mental health these research questions should be answered; what is
the impact of social media on the social behavior and mental health of an individual or a
society and how individuals are dealing with the changing apparatus of social media and
information technologies. Also it will discuss the consequences either positive or
negative in the light of research that has been conducted.

Social media

Social Media can be defined through multiple definitions that go beyond its forms and
descriptions. This question about the nature of social media is very ambiguous and it’s
very complicated to understand the process of social media. Social media underlies the
system of interaction among people through sharing and exchanging ideas in virtual
communities(Kaplan, A & Haenlein, M., 2010, p .61).
Consumers used social media to broadcast the content to buy the products and services.
However, consumers are utilizing platforms such as content sharing sites, blogs, social
networking, and wikis (Kietzmann, 2011, p. 2). It is perceived that social media sites
actually generate a remarkable effect on the users’ social behavioral patterns.

Within a few years social media has become an integral part of our daily life. Especially
young people cannot think of communicating without thinking of online-networks like
Facebook, Google+, and Twitter. The trend of using social media is continuously rising
and people are enthusiastic about using these new technologies of virtual interaction.
Since the stone age to present humans have been described as social beings, and one
would think these technologies as a source to express their sense of belongingness to each
other(Spitzer, 2012, p. 109). The development of new technology is not returnable but
there should be some restrictions over customers to use it in a conscious and responsible
way.

Evolution of Social media

From the beginning of 20th century internet is considered as a source of

knowledge that has disseminated into every aspect of life as a means of information. The
purpose behind the evolution of social media was to access secure, instant and
inexpensive information and to facilitate communication, today it has become a means of
causing significant changes in individuals and society. Only ten years ago, in 2004,
another communication revolution took place: the birth of Facebook that ultimately leads
towards the revolution of social media.

The idea that people enjoy to be connected and to exchange their feelings and
wishes has been the ultimate purpose behind the invention of social media. Social media, being
an extension of internet technology, changes communication sources among people. The
use of social media in Pakistan and around the world is increasing; especially young
people and students show intense interest in it. “It can be elaborated as a web based
activity to give every individual an unlimited access to a confined system to connect to
some other users (D.M Boyd, and N.B Ellison, 2007).
Types of social media

The most popular websites that social media users operating through are Baidu,
Facebook Tieba, LinkedIn, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter, Viber, WeChat, What’s App,
Weibo, Wikia, and the associated messengers such as Facebook Messenger
(Pivec,M.;Maˇcek, 2019). Social networking represents a social systematic structure that
displays the different settings of social actors, individuals, communities, and
organizations and enhances the social interactions and communications of those social
actors (Scholz, M, 2018). There are both positive and negative effects in culture and
society. Individuals who spend too much time on social media have a desire to be aware
or informed about anything immediately, which can cause virtual tolerance, virtual
communication and virtual problem. Individual’s behaviors towards society and other
human beings that force the person into these actions can be explained as social media
addiction.

Theories of social media

Researches regarding social media have proven that social media has become an
integral part of individual’s life and obsession regarding media is continuously
increasing. Generally, the obsession for social media is perceived in a negative manner
though it must have it positive side that proves the role of social media as productive.

Bourdieu’s theory of practice

Bourdieu’s theory of practice can be used to analyze power at both the

organizational and individual levels, the way individual behavior reproduces structure
through the concept of habitus. The concept of habitus by Bourdieu narrates that there is
an influence of outer world on our actions. There is an imitating behavior that is adopted
through the outer influence on an individual. In this manner social media is playing a
significant role where power structures operate to change the behavior of individual and
society. Empirical studies have established the importance of systematic planning in
micro-blogging that defines strategies of posting, sharing on social media. These
strategies play a critical role in the managing of the image of self or presentation of self.
Social media is used in narrative building and operationalizing the set of objectives that
corresponds to a strategy of use.

Goffman’s symbolic interactionism

This theory narrates that how the presentation of self through social media serves
an objective. Its define through an impression towards others that fulfill the interests.
Goff man’s book is therefore all about the outward appearance of action (Heidegger M,
1996). Empirical research regarding social media found that people use social media in
order to present themselves as better than they actually are. Individual’s online identity is
more authentic than its original or actual self. This presentation of self that serves a
purpose may have a productive role by enhancing individual’s confidence and interaction
with other people. The improvement of the virtual self on SM can build their confidence
towards their self.

Sartre’s existentialism,

Sartre’s theory of existentialism narrates the social media provides a possibility to

intermingles with everyday life. In this sense, Social media act as part of the everyday
“being-with-others,” in a systematic way from past to present relationships to futre
actions that shapes the present action. Here, we propose that the everyday use of social
media may be perceived as a process of historicizing oneself. Social media is used to
develop intimate relationships and interpersonal relationships among young people can
be understood as an extension of every day’s project of the unity of the self and that is
facilitated by social media for example it can be used for individual customization. Social
media have the potential to highlight the issues regarding ethnicity and other cultural
issues

Heidegger’s phenomenology

People are attracted by social media because of experiences related to others who
use such spaces. Yoo argues that the basic tenet of social media is to convert or transform
reality in to digital world. This deviance from reality does not preserve the original
essence or identity.
 Changing the means of communication among individuals that exists in that
particular site can be changed throughout the time. Induction of different behaviors into
an individual’s behavior can have both positive and negative impacts on social behavior
and society. These social sites are using the agenda of friendship to bring harmony and
build association among individuals in the society. While comparing social media
friendships with real world relationships, they are not as stronger as real relationships are.
But an isolated young individual or marginalized can develop relationships through social
media.

Gender differences in social media

Social media being a very powerful tool tend to generate discourses about gender
differences and stereotyping gender roles that perpetuate gender inequality. From a
traditional legacy to general online media hugely influence our perceptions about gender
roles in society. Social media tend to compartmentalizes gender roles that are
disseminating into our society through oppression, violence and patriarchal institutional
hierarchies. But on the contrast social media also highlights violence and oppression
against woman. There are so many examples where social media played its role
positively through online campaigning and movements. We can’t deny this fact that
social media have such a powerful impact in our society that has both positive and
negative dimensions.

Social behavior

Social behavior can be defined as a response towards an individual or society

through social communication. Human being a social animal can’t survive without
having connection with his surroundings. Technological advancement generates
association among the existing among members of the same species which happens
because of social communication. Examples of negative social behavior are dishonesty,
nuisance, crime, violence, online sexual crime, etc. The main discourse about social
media that it can easily lead the users to negative social behaviors especially with the
nude pictures posted online, bullying, online trolling, online causing riots or disorder,
become addicted and abandon academic pursuits.
 Michele and Kimberly argues that social media has risked the studies and
increased the exposure of sexual harassment. Their report revealed that 15% of the
students experienced unwanted solicitation in social media.

Types of social behavior

The different types of social behavior include emotional behavior, violent

behavior, aggressive behavior, group action and pro social behavior. Social behavior is
comprised of conduct and actions practiced by individuals within society. People's social
behaviors normally correlate with suitable actions within an individual’s social group,
while most individuals normally avoid such behaviors that are unacceptable for the
society. Social behaviors are formulated according to the rules and regulations of the
society. There are different types of social behavior includes:

Emotional behavior

Emotional behavior is a form of behavior where individual is mentally strong and he

reacts emotionally within groups and individually. This type of behavior is sometimes
extremely damaging for a productive community that requires rationality. This behavior
developed throughout the people’s experiences in the community or society. This type of
behavior expresses emotions such as excitement, fear, joy, anger, anxiety and sorrow.

Violent and aggressive behavior

Violent and aggressive behavior is developed by hard experiences of an

individual in society. The person reacts violently or aggressively while cooping any
situation. This behavior can be developed by observing and imitating other’s behaviors.
Repetition and practicing of these behaviors tend to normalize it and considered as a
normal behavior in violent societies.

Group action This behavior occurs when a social movement is operated through
individuals and people gather in huge numbers to alter a particular element of society. It
has has a particular purpose, which influences behaviors both negatively and positively.

Theories of social behavior

 To understand social behavior and behavior change it is necessary to understand
the theoretical understanding of social behavior. In this context theory represent sufficient
knowledge that mediate the prior assumptions about what human behavior is and what
are the influence on social behavior of an individual. Also theory provides the knowledge
of how to change behavior across different populations and contexts. (Michieet, al; 2008;
Rothman; 2004).

Social learning theory

Social learning theory indicates that new behaviors can be acquired through
observation and imitation. It states that learning being a cognitive process can be acquired
in a social context and can occur through observation or direct reinforcement. Learning
can also be occurred through observation of behavior, particularly observation of reward
and punishment. Rewarding particular behavior regularly will make it persist; conversely,
if a particular behavior is constantly punished, it will most likely desist (Renzetti, Claire;
Curran, Daniel; Maier, Shana 2012). Behavior is governed solely by reinforcements, by
placing emphasis on the important roles of various internal processes in the learning
individual (Bandura, A. (1977).

Social cognitive theory

Social cognitive theory, the social learning through cognition has been best
articulated by Bandura, he explains human behavior in terms of a three-way, dynamic,
reciprocal model in which different influences including personal, environmental and
behavior continuously operate. Social cognitive theory combine concepts and processes
from cognitive, behavioristic, and emotional models of behavior change, so it can be used
to nutritional intervention for disease prevention and management. It states that people
learn through observation and imitation and formulate their behavior according to their
observation.

In this context social media play an important part in formulation of behavior.

Key constructs of social cognitive theory that are relevant to nutritional intervention
include observational learning, reinforcement, self-control, and self-efficacy.
Gender differences in social behavior

Gendered differences define that how man and woman should behave? What are
the suitable expressions for man and woman? Gender behavior can be understood as the
product of social role within a society.

Mental health

Mental health refers to cognitive, behavioral, and emotional well-being. It can

also be defined individual’s perceptions about an individual or society and how they
behave in a particular situation. Mental health can be affected through various ways
including irregular brain’s functioning, anxiety disorder, and depression

Types of mental health

There are many different conditions that are recognized as mental illnesses. The
more common types include;

Anxiety disorders:

Individual having anxiety disorder reacts on particular subjects or situations with

fear. There are also some physical sings of anxiety including rapid heartbeat and
sweating. If the person’s response is not appropriate according to the situation or he does
not have any control over his actions, are also the signs of anxiety disorder. Certain
behaviors and actions becomes the reason of anxiety disorder in an individual. If
something bad happened in the past that continues to irritate the person ultimately
resulted anxiety and stress or any other psychological problem. Social behaviors have any
important part in generating anxiety disorder.

Psychotic disorders: It involves scattered memories and thinking from the past
that resides at the subconscious part of the brain produces a psychotic disorder. There are
two most common symptoms of psychotic disorder that are hallucinations ( the
experience of images or sounds that are not real, such as hearing voices) and delusions,
(which are false fixed beliefs that the ill person accepts as true,) despite having evidence
Schizophrenia is an example of a psychotic disorder.
 Impulse control and addiction disorders: People with impulse control disorders
are unable to resist urges, or impulses, to perform acts that could be harmful to
themselves or others. Pyromania (starting fires), kleptomania (stealing), and compulsive
gambling are examples of impulse control disorders. Alcohol and drugs are common
objects of addictions. Often, people with these disorders become so involved with the
objects of their addiction that they begin to ignore responsibilities and relationships.

Personality disorders: People with personality disorders have extreme and

inflexible personality traits that are distressing to the person and/or cause problems in
work, school, or social relationships. In addition, the person's patterns of thinking and
behavior significantly differ from the expectations of society and are so rigid that they
interfere with the person's normal functioning. Examples include antisocial personality
disorder, obsessive-compulsive personality disorder, histrionic personality disorder,
schizoid personality disorder, and paranoid personality disorder.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): PTSD is a condition that can develop

following a traumatic and/or terrifying event, such as a sexual or physical assault, the
unexpected death of a loved one, or a natural disaster. People with PTSD often have
lasting and frightening thoughts and memories of the event, and tend to be emotionally
numb.

Dissociative disorders: People with these disorders suffer severe disturbances or

changes in memory, consciousness, identity, and general awareness of themselves and
their surroundings. These disorders usually are associated with overwhelming stress,
which may be the result of traumatic events, accidents, or disasters that may be
experienced or witnessed by the individual. Dissociative identity disorder, formerly
called multiple personality disorder, or "split personality," and depersonalization disorder
are examples of dissociative disorders.

Sexual and gender disorders: These include disorders that affect sexual desire,
performance, and behavior. Sexual dysfunction, gender identity disorder, and the
paraphilias are examples of sexual and gender disorders.

Theories of mental health

 Every theory of mental health comes from one of the above five areas or a
combination of them. Here is a brief overview of theories derived from those broader
categories. Network theory explains that “mental disorders arise from direct interactions
between symptoms” (Borsboom, 2017). The biological, psychological, and societal
influences facilitate the connection between Psychopathological symptoms.

Cognitive-behavioral Therapy (CBT)

This theory tends to focus upon helping people to alter their destructive thoughts
and behaviors. It helps an individual to overcome their problem and lead a normal life.
This strategy has its focus upon achieving its purpose and involves hard work. It
reinforces individual to be confident and have a productive role in the society (David,
Cristea, & Hofmann, 2018).

Exposure therapy

This theory allows an individual to engage or understand the root causes of their
anxiety or depression. This strategy works slowly but it increase person’s understing of
fear so that he may overcome it. (APA, n.d.)

Social media and social behavior

Kord confirmed that students’ behaviors are easily influenced by social media
sites because of distasteful comments posted to harass peers. In this research study,
76.08% acknowledged that social media sites have negative social effects on individuals
and society. Through social media people can easily fall into the trap of immorality. This
finding agreed with Michele and Shonna who stated that approximately 51% of
21Millions of youths/students that engage in social media sites on daily bases have been
socially affected more of negatively. Social media influence on social behavior.

Ultimately, similar to any powerful platform or advancement in innovation, social

media and networking sites offer both adverse and productive features to the community,
and the influence of social media and social networking sites have had a significant
impact on students during their transition to adulthood (Zhu, L.; Anagondahalli, D.;
Zhang, 2017).
 Social media has changed how people, including university students—and mainly
female students—communicate, interact, and socialize over the course of their learning
processes at educational institutions (Terzi, B,2019).

Students now have the opportunity to participate in social discussion by sharing

images and pictures, posting their comments, disseminating ideas, and so on (Kim, T.T
2018). Today, social media generally impacts youths’ daily lives and universities students
in particular (Stathopoulou, A, 2019).

Social media and mental health

sharing, and Social networking sites and the expansion of social media have also
heightened depression in students and drastically changed the social atmosphere in which
students develop and learn. However, web-based social networking and the pervasiveness
of social media outlets have also heightened depression in students and drastically
changed the social atmosphere in which students develop and learn. While considering
the effectiveness of social media that how development and advancement in social media
has affected our daily life and behavior.

Social media is increasingly becoming a critical element of human society by

changing our social norms, values, and culture (Chukwuere, J.E, 2017). Information
sharing and the distribution of content are becoming important social desires (Wolf, D.M,
2015). Digital media and social networking are revolutionizing methods of everyday
communication, collaboration, information information consumption (Suseno,
Y,Tulin,M; 2019,2018
Rationale

The purpose of the research is to see the effects of social media on social behavior and
mental health among university students. The prime objective of the current study is
assimilating and extending the knowledge as well as insights which are taken from earlier
researches. Several researches have been carried out on different variables with different
gaps and their relation to each other and selection of different samples of age and group.
The rationale for this study is basically is to access the social media addiction as a
predictor of social behavior and mental health concerns among university graduates male
and female. The determination of this study is to explore the social media as a predictor
of social behavior and mental health and to investigate how social behavior and mental
health is affected by social media use.

Objectives

The existing research was conducted to examine the effects of social media on social
behavior and mental health among young adults.

More specifically, existing research was conducted in order to attain following goals,

1. To evaluate the social behavior among university students.

2. To investigate the mental health among university students.

3. To measure the mental health among university students.

4. To investigate the relationship between among, social media and social behavior and
mental health among university student.

5. To elaborate the role of demographics on study variabl

Hypothesis of the study

To achieve the research objectives following hypothesis have been formulated and tested
in the presenting study.

1 There is a positive correlation between social media and social behavior.

2 there is a positive correlation between social media and mental health.

 CHAPTER II

Method

Research Design

The current study conducted by using correlational research design. The present
study is to see the effects of social media on social behavior and mental health of
university students. It will focus upon the positive and negative effects of social media on
social behavior and mental health of university students, to analyze their adjustment and
interaction within the society. Moreover it will investigate that how excessive use of
social media that generates an obsession may damage their mental health.

Sample

The sample of the present study consisted of two hundred and fifty participants.
Purposive sampling technique was used to collect data from participants (N= 250). The
respondents were men (n=125) and women (n=125). Demographic variables such as age,
gender, education, residence, family system, marital status and no of children were also
measured. The data was collected from different areas of Sargodha.
Instrument.

Mental health inventory MHI 38 (Veil & Ware, 1983) consisted of 38 items with 6-
point Likert-scale response, approximately 5-10 minutes to administer, including two
main subscales “ Psychological Distress” & “ Psychological well-being” & rated on 6-
point rating scale, “ranging from 1 “all of the time to 6 “none of time”, & “General
positive”, “Affect, Emotional ties”, “ Life satisfaction” designated with positive state of
mental health & higher scores on “Anxiety”, “Depression”, “Loss of behavioral control”,
designated with negative state of mental health & high scores on ( Global MHI ) denotes

(“greater psychological well-being” & “ Less on psychological distress”. Psychological

well-being sub-scale includes item no 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 12, 14, 14, 17, 18, 22, 23, 26, 31,
34, 37 & psychological distress sub-scale includes item no 2,3, 8, 9, 11, 13, 15, 16, 19,
20, 21, 24, 25, 27, 28, 29, 30, 32, 33,35 36,38.

Social Media Addiction Scale (Andreassen, 2012;Kuss and Griffiths, 2011),.

An item pool consisting of 41 items was formed and a draft form was prepared. 29 items
and 4 positive includes and 2 negative items. This is a 5-point Likert not appropriate, 2=
Not appropriate ,3= Undecided, 4= Appropriate” and , 5 = Quite appropriate sub type
scale 5-point grading is used in the scale: 1= Definitely -dimensions. The scale 39
positive includes and 2 negative it ems. This is a 5-point Likert not appropriate, 2= Not
appropriate ,3= Undecided, 4= Appropriate” and , 5 = Quite appropriate.

“The negative items are scored reversely. The higher scores indicate that agent perceives
himself as a social media addiction scale. Young adult social behavior scale laura m.
Crothers. the purpose of this study is to propose a new instrument for identifying
behaviors associated with relational and social aggression and interpersonal maturity
among young adults aged range [18 to 25]. Each item of the scale was measured through
a 5 point likert scale ranging from never to always. [muthen and muthen 1998]
because such items are considered ordered categorical data with non normal distribution.

Procedure

After taking permission they were given brief instruction to complete the scales and
provide the information on demographic sheet. The researcher remains present and
vigilant during the completion of the scales and in case, if the participants face any sort of
difficulties during the completion of the scales or other understanding of the questions,
researcher address their queries in appropriate way and answer After taking permission
from department data collection was started from various areas of Sargodha city. The
research ensure the participants, that this is an academic research and results will be used
to only for academic purpose. Then participants were presented with an information sheet
about the study which gave a through explanation about the aims of the study, the level of
possible personal discomfort, sensitivity and the approximate time it took to the finish the
questionnaire booklet. Ethical protocol was maintained: participants were assured of the
confidentiality and anonymity of their information, and their right to withdraw at any
stage of research. After motivating them those participants who showed their willing to
participate in the study their questions. After the completion of the scales the researcher
paid special thanks to the participants, because of the voluntarily participation in the
study without taking any tangible incentive. The researcher appreciates that their
participation is worthy contribution in the knowledge of psychology.
Operational Definition

All consist of the present study were measure through self-report measure; high score
represent high level of corresponding constructs and vice versa.

Social media

Forms of electronic communication (such as websites for social networking and

microblogging) through which users create online communities to share information,
ideas, personal messages, and other content (such as videos) Merriam Webster [ 1828]

Social behavior

A statement of th procedures or ways in which a researcher is going to measure behaviors

or qualities. You could do this by giving people the Social Readjustment Rating Scale
and then operationally define "life change" as the score on the social readjustment rating
scale. .[alley dog]..

Mental health

Mental health is an integral and essential component of health. The WHO constitution
states: "Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not
merely the absence of disease or infirmity." An important implication of this definition is
that mental health is more than just the absence of mental disorders or disabilities.[ World
health organization.
Theoretical Diagram of the study

The present study aimed at investigating the effect of social media and social behavior on
mental health of university students.

SOCIAL BEHAVIOR

SOCIAL MEDIA
CHAPTER 3

MENTAL HEALTH

ChapterI-II

Results

Demographic variables F %
Age

18-20 127 50.8%

21-25 123 49.2%
Education
 BA 117 46.8%
BS 133 53.2%
Residence

Rural 108 43.2%

Urban 142 56.8%
Gender

Man 125 50.0%

Women 125 50.0%
Family system

Joint 120 48.0%

Nuclear 130 52.0%
Occupation

Employed 108 43.2%

unemployed 141 56.8%

Table 1 shows the demographic characteristics of the sample of the piolet study. Tables
show frequency of boys and girls with the relevance to their gender, education & family
system. Results indicated that frequency of men (f =125, 50.0%) and women (f =125,
50.0%) are equal. Education is another variable which divide sample into BA (f =117,
46.8%), BS (f = 133, 53.2%). Family system is variable which divide sample in to joint
(f=120, 48.0%) nuclear (f = 130,52.0%) Residence is another variable is divided sample
into rural (f=108,43.2%) and urban (f=142, 56.8%) .

Table 2

Corrected Item Total Correlation of Rosenberg Self Esteem Scale (N=300)

Item No r
SM 1 .047
SM 2 .185
SM 3 .170
SM 4 .779
SM 5 .051
SM 6 .745
 SM 7 .038
SM 8 .737
SM 9 .779
SM10 .058
SM11 -.067
SM12 .776
SM13 .113
SM14 .133
SM15 .039
SM16 .779
SM17 .194
SM18 .026
SM19 .776
SM20 .212
SM21 .259
SM22 .025
SM23 .737
SM24 .213
SM25 .187
SM26 .213
SM27 .047
SM28 .776
SM29 .197

Note SM=Social Media

Table 2 shows the item total correlation of Social media Scale. Results
shows that all 29 items of social media scale has high positive correlation .025 to .779
with the total score of this scale.

Table 3

Corrected Item Total Correlation of Social Behavior Scale (N=250)

Item No R
SB1 .361
SB2 .762
SB3 .708
SB4 .344
SB5 .773
SB6 .700
SB7 .220
 SB8 -.110
SB9 .356
SB10 .765
SB11 .704
SB12 .225
SB13 .715
SB14 .346
. Note SB= Social Behavior scale

Table 2 shows the item total correlation of Social Behavior Scale. Results shows that all 14 items
of Social behavior scale has high positive correlation -.110 to .773 with the total score of this
scale.

Table 4

Corrected Item Total Correlation of Mental Health Scale (N=250)

Item No R
MH1 .786
MH2 .696
MH3 .287
MH4 .704
MH5 .291
 MH6 .716
MH7 .786
MH8 .704
MH9 .701
MH10 .702
MH11 .277
MH12 .786
MH13 .139
MH14 .186
Note MH=Mental Health scale

Table 4 shows the item total correlation of Mental health Scale. Results shows that all
14 items of Mental health scale has high positive correlation .139 to 786 with the total score of
this scale.

Table 5

Psychometric Properties of Variables (N=250)

Range

Variable N M SD α Potentia Actual Skewnes Kurtosis

s l s
 SM 250 100.9200 7.98402 .800 -.139 -.169
SB 250 50.8680 8.04771 .845 -.273 -.292
MH 250 50.6948 6.82110 .881 -.004 -.219
Note. SM=Social Media, SB=Social Behavior, MH=Mental Health

Table 5 shows mean and standard deviation of the study variables. It also shows
internal consistency index (alpha coefficient) for all scales used in thy study. The results
showed that all the scales of the present study are internal consistent. Reliability analysis
indicates the reliability coefficient of Social Media, Social Behavior, Mental Health is 80,
.84, .88, and respectively, which shows satisfactory internal consistency.

Table 6

Pearson Correlation among Study Variables (N=250)

Variables 1 2 3
1. Social media - .58* .41*
2. Social behavior <.001 .76*
 3.Mental health -
*p˂.001

Table 6 show Pearson correlation among study variables. Findings indicated that
has social media has significant positive correlation with social Behavior and mental
health. Findings indicated that social media has significant has negative correlation with
mental health ( )

Table 7

Multiple Linear Regression Analysis Showing Impacts of Social media and Social
Behavior

Outcome: SWL
95%CI
 Predictors Model B LL UL

(constant) -7.693 -18.129 2.742

SM .576 477 .683
R² .576
F 122.930
Note , SM=social media ,SB=Social Behavior, MH=Mental health

Table 7 shows results of simple linear regression analysis with Social media as
predictor and Social behavior as outcome. The value of R² was…. which indicated that
variance in Social media with F =…….Findings revealed that Social media Positive
predicted Social behavior.

Table 8

Multiple Linear Regression Analysis Showing Impacts of Social media and Mental health

Outcome: SWL
 95%CI

Predictors Model B LL UL

(constant) 15.716 5.825 25.607

SM .406 .249 .444
R² 406
F

Table 7 shows results of simple linear regression analysis with social media as
predictor mental health as outcome. The value of R² was .227 which indicated that
explained 227% variance in Social media addiction. Findings revealed that Social media
addiction positively predicted Mental health

Table 9

Mean, Standard Deviation and t-Values for Age on Social Media, Social Behavior,
Mental health.
 (18-20) (21-25)

Variables M SD M SD t(250) P LL UL Cohen’s d

SM 101.09 8.36 100.7 7.60 .351 .363 -1.6 2.34 0.044382.
3
SB 51.02 8.42 50.70 7.67 .310 .378 -1.7 2.33 0.039261.
MH 50.78 7.02 50.59 66.2 .218 .414 -1.51 1.9 0.004012.
5
Note. SM=Social Media , SB= Social Behavior, MH= Mental health

Table 10

Mean, Standard Deviation and t-Values for Education BA and BS students on

Social Media ,Social Behavior and Mental health/.;.
 BA BS

Variables M SD M SD t(250) P LL UL Cohen’s d

SM 100.49 7.68 101.29 8.24 -.787 .216 -2.8 1.19 0.100036
SB 50.84 7.92 50.88 8.18 -.040 .484 -2.05 1.97 0.00509
MH 50.49 6.43 50.87 7.16 -.439 .331 -2.09 1.33 0.055941
Note SMA=Social media ,SB=Social Behavior, MH= Mental Health

showed mean differences across 18-20 and 21-25. Findings indicated significant
mean differences on Self Esteem. The value of Cohen’s indicated large effect size.
Findings indicated significant mean differences on Academic Performance. The value of
Cohen’s d indicated large effect size. Findings indicated significant mean differences on
Life Satisfaction. The value of Cohen’s d indicated large effect size. Results revealed that
exhibited BS students exhibited higher scores on social behavior as compared to BA
students. Results revealed that BS students exhibited higher scores on Academic
performance as compared to BA students. Results revealed that BS students exhibited
higher scores on social media as compared to BA students The value of Cohen’s d was
which indicated small effect size.

Table 11

Mean, Standard Deviation and t-Values for Gender Man and woman, Students
area on Social Media, Social Behavior and Mental health
 Woman Man

Variable M SD M SD t(250) P LL UL Cohen’s d

s
SM 99.64 7.61 102.2 8.16 -2.563 .005 - -.59 0.32
0 4.52
SB 48.97 8.00 52.76 7.66 -3.817 <.00 - - 0.48
1 5.74 1.83
MH 49.64 6.07 51.73 7.36 -2.443 .008 - -.40 0.30
3.78 5
Note SM=Social media , SB= Social Behavior, MH= Mental health .

Table 12

Mean, Standard Deviation and t-Values for Rural and urban residence Students on
Social media, social behavior and mental health.

Rural Urban
 Variable M SD M SD t(250 P LL UL Cohen’s d
s )
SM 101.60 7.52 100.40 8.30 1.179 .120 -.806 3.21 0.151
SB 50.69 8.40 51.00 7.78 -.297 .383 -2.33 1.72 0.037.
MH 50.45 7.26 50.87 6.48 -.475 .318 -2.14 1.31 .0.063
Note. SM=Social media, SB=Social Behavior ,MH= Mental health,

Table 12 showed mean differences across rural and urban families’ students. Findings
indicated significant mean differences on social media. The value of Cohen’s d which
indicated large effect size. Findings indicated significant mean differences on
procrastination. The value of Cohen’s d indicated large effect size. Findings indicated
significant mean differences on social behavior. The value of Cohen’s d indicated large
effect size. Results revealed that exhibited urban families’ students exhibited higher
scores as compared to rural families’ students. Results revealed that urban families’
students exhibited higher scores on Procrastination as compared to rural families’
students. Results revealed that rural families’ students exhibited higher scores on mental
health as compared to urban families’ students. The value of Cohen’s d was which
indicated small effect size.
Table 13

Mean, Standard Deviation and t-Values for employed and unemployed Students on
Social media, Social behavior, Mental Health.

Employed Unemployed

Variable M SD M SD t(250 P LL UL Cohen’s d

s )
SM 100.40 8.48 101.27 7.63 -.848 .199 -2.9 1.15 0.108
SB 50.17 8.49 51.35 7.72 -1.13 .128 -3.22 .860 0.145
MH 49.72 7.15 51.33 6.51 -1.83 .034 -3.33 .119 0.234
Note SM=social media, SB=Social Behavior, MH= Mental health,

Table 12 shows mean differences across occupation. Findings indicated significant mean
differences on gratitude. The value of Cohen’s d indicates large effect size. Results
revealed that employed exhibited higher score on gratitude as compared to unemployed
results indicated that employed exhibited higher score on resilience as compared to
unemployed Results revealed that employed exhibited higher score on life satisfaction as
compared to unemployed.
 CHAPTER -III

DISCUSSION

Present study aimed to access the social media attitude as a predictor of social behavior
and mental health in young students. Social media supposed to be positively associated
with social behavior and mental health whereas social behavior supposed to be negatively
associated with mental health.

Research questionnaire were administered to the sample and their responses were
subjected to statistical analysis. Psychometric properties of all the three scales i.e., Social
media scale, social behavior scale and Mental health scale questionnaire were computed
on the sample (N=250) out of which 150 were male and 150 were females. and revealed
all the scale had significant moderate to high reliabilities and were sound measure for
present study and objectives.

Demographic variables which are age, gender ,education ,family system and residence.
descriptive statistics ,range ,skewness, kurtosis, correlation ,regression ,and ANNOVA
were computed.the studies is significant in that it emphasis the importance of Social
media is defined as idea that people enjoy to be connected and to exchange their feelings
and wishes has been the ultimate purpose behind the invention of social media. Social
media, being an extension of internet technology, changes communication sources among
people. The use of social media in Pakistan and around the world is increasing; especially
young people and students show intense interest in it.

The study is based on three hypothesis which will be discussed one by one .the first
hypothesis was that there will be positive correlation between social media and social
behavior .results of the study were in support of hypothesis as a significant positive
correlation was observed between the social media and social behavior.

. Through social media people can easily fall into the trap of immorality. This
finding agreed with Michele and Shonna who stated that approximately 51% of
21Millions of youths/students that engage in social media sites on daily bases have been
socially affected more of positively but less negatively they area affected.. Social media
influences on social behavior. Ultimately, similar to any powerful platform or
advancement in innovation, social media and networking sites offer both adverse and
productive features to the community, and the influence of social media and social
networking sites have had a significant impact on students during their transition to
adulthood (Zhu, L.; Anagondahalli, D.; Zhang, 2017).

The second hypothesis was that there will be positive correlation between social
media and mental health. Sharing, and Social networking sites and the expansion of
social media have also heightened depression in students and drastically changed the
social atmosphere in which students develop and learn. However, web-based social
networking and the pervasiveness of social media outlets have also heightened depression
in students and drastically changed the social atmosphere in which students develop and
learn. While considering the effectiveness of social media that how development and
advancement in social media has affected our daily life .

Social media is increasingly becoming a critical element of human society by

changing our social norms, values, and culture (Chukwuere, J.E, 2017). Information
sharing and the distribution of content are becoming important social desires (Wolf, D.M,
2015). Digital media and social networking are revolutionizing methods of everyday
communication, collaboration, information information consumption (Suseno,
Y,Tulin,M; 2019,2018.
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