Theses and Dissertations

Date of Award

5-2024

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Rehabilitation Counseling

First Advisor

Irmo Marini

Second Advisor

Ralph Carlson

Third Advisor

Roy Chen

Abstract

Daily exposure and dependence on computer-based technologies (smartphones) allows for 24/7 constant access to social media (i.e., Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, TikTok, and other sites) and has empirically shown to have a positive and negative impact on the mental health of individuals across cultures in our society. Depending on user intent, exposure, and interests, social media platforms can create a sense of community; however, some of the platforms and what users post about themselves has led to cyberbullying, low self-esteem, user addiction, suicide, self-harm behaviors such as eating disorders, sexual dysfunction, and other mental health issues such as depression and perceived poor quality of life and life satisfaction. The purpose of the present study explored how U.S. adults perceived their body image, quality of life, and one’s self-esteem in using social networking sites (SNS) with a quantitative non-experimental survey research design. The results of this study revealed higher self-esteem scores among older (40-65+) Hispanic individuals with a higher education (associates degree or more), who did not have a mental health diagnosis. Similarly, body image concerns were greater among individuals 40+ years and those previously diagnosed with a mental health disorder. In terms of quality of life, scores were highest among participants with a prior mental health diagnosis, with a higher education, and persons over the age of forty. Lastly, a relationship was found between body image concerns and social media usage as well as a strong positive relationship between body image concerns, self-esteem, and overall quality of life.

Comments

Copyright 2024 Rigel Macarena Pinon.

https://go.openathens.net/redirector/utrgv.edu?url=https://www.proquest.com/pqdtglobal1/dissertations-theses/examining-time-spent-on-social-media-effects/docview/3085437683/sem-2?accountid=7119

Download

Share

COinS