OVERUSE OF SOCIAL MEDIA AND MENTAL HEALTH: EXAMINING LEVELS OF DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY AMONG ARAB UNIVERSITY STUDENTS IN PALESTINE (1948)

Abstract

Background and objectives: The main objective of this study was to determine whether there is a relationship between overuse of social media and the levels of anxiety and depression among Arab university students residing in the land of Palestine (1948). The current treatise also addressed psychological variables whish are related to the marital status and the gender, college, academic year, and age. Study Methodology: The study was conducted using a descriptive research approach and included a sample of 295 students, who are university students from Arabs of 1948. The tools: Beck Depression Inventory, Beck Anxiety Inventory, Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale, and yang Internet Addiction Scale. Results: First, the results showed that the levels of anxiety and depression among the sample students were low. Second, the results highlighted the impact of demographic variables on anxiety and depression levels. It was found that females were more affected than males, even though males had higher levels of excessive use of social media, regarding the generation factor was shown that the sample individuals (ages 18-22) were the most affected. Concerning the academic year, students in advanced years had the highest levels. Social status also had an effect, as divorced individuals had the highest rates of excessive social media use and levels of anxiety and depression. Third, the results showed a significant statistical relationship between excessive social media use and anxiety and depression. It was found that there was a positive correlation between the level of excessive social media use and the level of anxiety and depression. Although the correlation for anxiety and depression was high with the Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale, the correlation with Young's Internet Addiction Scale remained stable, media Conclusions- The study showed that excessive use of social media among Arab university students living in the Palestinian territories (1948) affects mental health. According to this study, the researcher suggests creating a psychological training program aimed at addressing the negative effects of excessive social media use