EXPLORING THE EFFECTS OF SOCIAL MEDIA USE ON THE MENTAL HEALTH OF INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS IN NORTH CYPRUS /
ADRIANA RUVIMBO CHIDANGWA; SUPERVISOR: DR GÖKHAN AKBAY
- 45 sheets; 31 cm. Includes CD
Thesis (MSc) - Cyprus International University. Institute of Graduate Studies and Research Social Work Department
Includes bibliography (sheets 37-40)
ABSTRACT Social media has become the daily bread of today’s society its grip is age regardless. Mental health is complex and easily influenced. Social media use can affect university students both positively and negatively. This study explores the effects of social media use on the mental health that is depression, anxiety and loneliness of international university students in north Cyprus. A qualitative method with thematic analysis was used for this study that involved eighty participants (forty-five males and thirty-five females). Interviews, focus groups and questionnaires were methods used to obtain the findings. The findings showed that social media does affect the students negatively and positively and this was further shown through a plethora of themes which include addiction, fear of missing out, virtual peer pressure, sense of community, educational purposes, source of entertainment and as a communication tool. The author discussed the limitations of the study and offered suggestions for future research. It can conclude that depression, anxiety and loneliness can both be made better or worse with the use of social media. Keywords: Anxiety, Depression, International Students, Loneliness, Mental Health, Participants, Social Media