Impact of Social Media Usage on Physical Health and Psychological Distress Among University Students

Abstract

Social media has become an essential element of university students' everyday lives in recent years, significantly influencing their communication patterns, lifestyle choices, and psychological processes. The current study examines the growing prevalence of social media use among university students and its possible effects on psychological distress and physical health. It is based on the larger framework of digital health and psychosocial functioning. Keeping this in view, the present study was carried out to assess the impact of social media usage on physical health and psychological distress. A quantitative, cross-sectional research design was utilized and data were gathered from 212 university students through standardized self-report instruments including; Social Media Usage Scale (SUMS), Physical Health Questionnaire (PHQ) and Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10) scales were used to assess the usage of social media, physical health and psychological distress respectively. The findings revealed significant positive relationships between social media usage, physical health and psychological distress suggesting that excessive usage of social media were linked with increased somatic symptoms and psychological distress among university students. Regression analyses further showed that social media usage was a significant predictor of both physical health and psychological distress. Significant gender differences were also observed on social media usage, physical health and psychological distress respectively which suggest that girls have greater inclination of social media usage, physical health and psychological distress as compared to the boys. In addition, significant family system differences were also observed on social media usage suggesting that participants from nuclear family system tended to have a greater tendency of social media usage as compared to those from joint family system. Therefore, the findings emphasize how important it is for universities to acknowledge social media use as a serious psychological and health issue. To reduce physical health complaints and psychological discomfort among university students, educational institutions and mental health specialists should work together to develop preventive initiatives, encourage responsible digital involvement, and incorporate psychosocial support services.