Anxiety, depression, and social media usage by gender and race in a college-age population

Presentation Type

Presentation

Full Name of Faculty Mentor

Sharon Thompson, Health Sciences, Swain Scholars; Molly Ford, Nutrition Consulting

Major

Biochemistry

Presentation Abstract

Most mental health disorders develop during young adulthood, with first onset by the age of 25. For college students, anxiety disorders and depression are the most prevalent. As social media continues to become increasingly popular in the younger generation, it is important to examine how it affects mental health. The purpose of this research is to examine the relationship between anxiety, depression, and social media usage by race and gender in a college-age population. A survey was created and distributed which included Generalized Anxiety Disorder assessment [GAD-7], Patient Health Questionnaire-9 [PHQ-9], and social media usage. ANOVA, Fisher’s Exact tests and Pearson correlation coefficients were used to analyze the data. Participants (N=897) were mostly female (66%, N=592) and were examined by race (Black-15.61%; White-84.39%). GAD-7 scores were significantly higher by race (Whites: M=8.09; Blacks: M=6.64, p<.01) and gender (Females: M=8.96; Males: M=5.78, p<.0001). For PHQ-9, females had significantly higher scores (M=8.82) than males (M=5.68, p<.0001). Social media scores were significantly higher by race (Whites: M=12.71; Blacks: M = 11.51, p<.01) and gender (Females: M=14.15: Males: M=10.85, p<.0001). For all participants, PHQ-9 and GAD-7 scores had a strong positive correlation, r(972) =.81, p<.0001. Social media usage and GAD-7 scores r(995) =.36, p<.0001) and PHQ-9 scores and social media usage r(968),=.36, p<.0001) were moderately positively correlated. In summary, significant relationships were found by gender and race in rates of anxiety, depression, and social media usage in this college-age population. These findings indicate a need to increase education and advocacy efforts on college campuses.

Start Date

11-4-2023 8:20 AM

End Date

11-4-2023 8:40 AM

Disciplines

Biochemistry | Exercise Science

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Apr 11th, 8:20 AM Apr 11th, 8:40 AM

Anxiety, depression, and social media usage by gender and race in a college-age population

Most mental health disorders develop during young adulthood, with first onset by the age of 25. For college students, anxiety disorders and depression are the most prevalent. As social media continues to become increasingly popular in the younger generation, it is important to examine how it affects mental health. The purpose of this research is to examine the relationship between anxiety, depression, and social media usage by race and gender in a college-age population. A survey was created and distributed which included Generalized Anxiety Disorder assessment [GAD-7], Patient Health Questionnaire-9 [PHQ-9], and social media usage. ANOVA, Fisher’s Exact tests and Pearson correlation coefficients were used to analyze the data. Participants (N=897) were mostly female (66%, N=592) and were examined by race (Black-15.61%; White-84.39%). GAD-7 scores were significantly higher by race (Whites: M=8.09; Blacks: M=6.64, p<.01) and gender (Females: M=8.96; Males: M=5.78, p<.0001). For PHQ-9, females had significantly higher scores (M=8.82) than males (M=5.68, p<.0001). Social media scores were significantly higher by race (Whites: M=12.71; Blacks: M = 11.51, p<.01) and gender (Females: M=14.15: Males: M=10.85, p<.0001). For all participants, PHQ-9 and GAD-7 scores had a strong positive correlation, r(972) =.81, p<.0001. Social media usage and GAD-7 scores r(995) =.36, p<.0001) and PHQ-9 scores and social media usage r(968),=.36, p<.0001) were moderately positively correlated. In summary, significant relationships were found by gender and race in rates of anxiety, depression, and social media usage in this college-age population. These findings indicate a need to increase education and advocacy efforts on college campuses.