The Impact of Social Media Use on Mental Health in Young Adults: A Longitudinal Study

Thesis Abstract

Abstract
This thesis investigates the impact of social media use on mental health in young adults through a longitudinal study. The research aims to address the growing concern surrounding the relationship between social media usage and mental well-being, particularly among the young adult population. The study utilizes a longitudinal design to examine how social media use influences various aspects of mental health over time. The research is guided by the theoretical framework of social comparison theory and self-esteem theory to explore the mechanisms through which social media may affect mental health outcomes. The introductory chapter provides an overview of the study, including the background of the research, the problem statement, objectives, limitations, scope, significance, structure of the thesis, and definitions of key terms. The literature review chapter synthesizes existing research on social media use and mental health, highlighting the key findings and gaps in the current literature. The research methodology chapter outlines the study design, sampling procedure, data collection methods, and data analysis techniques employed in the longitudinal study. The findings chapter presents the results of the longitudinal study, examining the relationship between social media use and various mental health outcomes such as depression, anxiety, self-esteem, and body image. The discussion of findings chapter interprets the results in the context of existing literature, discusses the implications of the findings, and offers recommendations for future research and interventions. The conclusion chapter summarizes the key findings of the study, highlights the contributions to the field, and discusses the practical implications for mental health professionals, policymakers, and social media users. Overall, this thesis contributes to our understanding of the complex relationship between social media use and mental health in young adults. The findings have important implications for promoting positive mental health outcomes and developing strategies to mitigate the potential negative effects of social media use on well-being.