SOCIAL MEDIA USE AND DEPRESSION AMONG NURSING STUDENTS: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Abstract

Background: Social media use has become an integral part of students’ daily lives, offering opportunities for communication and learning. However, excessive use has been linked with negative psychological outcomes, including depression. Nursing students, due to academic and clinical stressors, may be particularly vulnerable to these effects.

Aim: The study aimed to determine the association between social media use and depression among Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) students.

Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2024 at the Institute of Nursing, Peshawar. A sample of 194 BSN students enrolled in semesters 1, 3, 5, and 7 were selected through stratified random sampling. Data on social media use were collected using a structured questionnaire, while depression was assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and logistic regression analysis were applied using SPSS version 26.

Results: The findings showed that 91.2% of students used social media daily, with an average of 3.6 hours per day. WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram were the most frequently used platforms. The prevalence of depression was 60.8%, with female students more likely to report depressive symptoms. A significant association was found between duration of social media use and depression (p < 0.05). Students using social media for ≥ 5 hours per day were nearly three times more likely to experience moderate to severe depression compared to those using it for ≤ 2 hours.

Conclusion: The study concluded that excessive social media use was significantly associated with higher levels of depression among nursing students. The findings emphasize the need for awareness programs, digital literacy interventions, and mental health support services within nursing institutes to promote healthy social media use and well-being among students.