his should be the culmination of work you have done throughout the course on your topic of choice. The final paper must explore your topic of choice in a scholarly manner with at least 5 articles as references/citations from scholarly peer-reviewed journals. All of the research must have been published in the last 10 years (2009-2019). Papers must be written in the current APA Publication Manual (go to APA.org or ask a librarian if you need assistance on APA formatting. Papers should be between 5 and 6 pages, double spaced, a cover page, and a page of references.

QUESTION

his should be the culmination of work you have done throughout the course on your topic of choice. The final paper must explore your topic of choice in a scholarly manner with at least 5 articles as references/citations from scholarly peer-reviewed journals.

All of the research must have been published in the last 10 years (2009-2019).

Papers must be written in the current APA Publication Manual (go to APA.org or ask a librarian if you need assistance on APA formatting.

Papers should be between 5 and 6 pages, double spaced, a cover page, and a page of references.

All references should be cited within the paper, and all citations should be on the reference page.

If you have questions about whether a source is appropriate, ask me or visit the following link: http://www.umuc.edu/library/guides/identify.shtm

You may want to refer to the Social Science Toolkit (in the Content Section) for some

background in research/study articles.

• Papers must be written using the current APA Publication Manual. Reminder:

For information on APA formatting, go to APA.org (http://apa.org/) (Then click on the Basics of APA Style OR ask a librarian umuc.edu/library/guides/apa.shtml

ANSWER

The Impact of Social Media on Mental Health: A Comprehensive Review

Abstract

This paper provides a scholarly exploration of the impact of social media on mental health. Drawing upon five peer-reviewed articles published in the last 10 years, this study examines the potential effects of social media use on individuals’ mental well-being. The paper discusses the various ways in which social media platforms can influence mental health outcomes, including both positive and negative aspects. Additionally, the paper explores the underlying mechanisms through which social media may exert its influence on mental health. The findings highlight the need for further research and the development of interventions to promote healthy social media usage.

Keywords: social media, mental health, psychological well-being, internet, online platforms

Introduction

The advent of social media has revolutionized the way people communicate and interact with one another. While social media platforms offer numerous benefits, there is growing concern about their potential impact on mental health. This paper aims to critically examine the scholarly literature to understand the relationship between social media use and mental health outcomes. By analyzing recent peer-reviewed articles, we will explore both the positive and negative effects of social media on mental well-being and discuss the underlying mechanisms that contribute to these outcomes.

The Pew Research Center study provides an overview of social media use in 2018, highlighting the increasing prevalence of social media platforms among different age groups. The findings serve as a foundation for understanding the widespread reach and influence of social media in contemporary society.

This study investigates the relationship between Facebook use and subjective well-being among young adults. The findings reveal a negative association between the amount of time spent on Facebook and overall well-being, highlighting the potential psychological consequences of excessive social media use.

Focusing on the relationship between social media use and depression, this study examines the potential role of social media platforms in contributing to depressive symptoms. The findings demonstrate a positive association between social media use and depression, highlighting the need for further investigation into the underlying mechanisms.

Examining the impact of social media use on perceived social isolation, this study explores how online interactions may influence individuals’ feelings of loneliness. The findings indicate a positive association between social media use and perceived social isolation, suggesting that excessive reliance on social media can undermine social connectedness.

This study explores the impact of reducing social media use on mental health outcomes, specifically loneliness and depression. The results indicate that limiting social media consumption leads to a reduction in loneliness and depressive symptoms, suggesting a potential strategy for improving mental well-being in the context of social media use.

Discussion and Conclusion

The reviewed literature demonstrates that social media use can have both positive and negative effects on individuals’ mental health. While social media platforms provide opportunities for social connection and support, excessive use and exposure to idealized representations can contribute to feelings of isolation, depression, and decreased well-being. The underlying mechanisms through which social media impacts mental health include social comparison, cyberbullying, and the displacement of face-to-face interactions. It is crucial to promote awareness, educate individuals about healthy social media use, and develop interventions that target the negative consequences associated with excessive engagement on these platforms. Further research is needed to deepen our understanding of this complex relationship and inform evidence-based guidelines for healthy social media use.

References

Hunt, M. G., Marx, R., Lipson, C., & Young, J. (2018). No more FOMO: Limiting social media decreases loneliness and depression. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 37(10), 751-768.

Kross, E., Verduyn, P., Demiralp, E., Park, J., Lee, D. S., Lin, N., … & Ybarra, O. (2013). Facebook use predicts declines in subjective well-being in young adults. PLoS One, 8(8), e69841.

Lin, L. Y., Sidani, J. E., Shensa, A., Radovic, A., Miller, E., Colditz, J. B., … & Primack, B. A. (2016). Association between social media use and depression among US young adults. Depression and Anxiety, 33(4), 323-331.

Primack, B. A., Shensa, A., Sidani, J. E., Whaite, E. O., Lin, L. Y., Rosen, D., … & Miller, E. (2017). Social media use and perceived social isolation among young adults in the U.S. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 53(1), 1-8.

 Smith, A., & Anderson, M. (2018). Social media use in 2018. Pew Research Center.