MENTAL HEALTH EFFECTS OF SOCIAL MEDIA USE ON STUDENTS AT IGBINEDION UNIVERSITY: PSYCHOLOGICAL, EMOTIONAL, AND BEHAVIORAL CONSEQUENCES OF DIGITAL INTERACTION

Abstract

Background: In the digital era, social media is an indispensable tool for communication and academic collaboration among university students. However, the pervasive nature of these platforms has sparked global concerns regarding potential deleterious effects on psychological well-being. This study aimed to investigate the association between social media use and mental health outcomes, including anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, and loneliness, among students at Igbinedion University.

 Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted among 162 students recruited from Medicine, Nursing, and Medical Laboratory Science departments. Data were collected via a structured questionnaire on Google Forms, assessing usage duration and mental health symptoms. Data were analyzed using SPSS. Pearson correlation evaluated relationships between social media engagement and mental health variables, with significance set at p < 0.05.

 Results: Findings showed significant positive correlations between duration of social media use and anxiety (r = 0.64, p = 0.001), depression (r = 0.51, p = 0.002), and loneliness (r = 0.38, p = 0.015). Conversely, no significant correlations were observed for low self-esteem (r = 0.12, p = 0.324) or stress levels (r = 0.18, p = 0.212). WhatsApp and Instagram were the most frequently utilized platforms.

 Conclusion: Increased social media consumption among university students is significantly associated with heightened anxiety, depression, and loneliness. These results emphasise the urgent need for institutional interventions, such as digital literacy workshops and enhanced counseling services, to mitigate the mental health risks of unregulated digital interaction within the university.