An exploratory study on the influence of social media on mental health beliefs and behaviors of university students

• Main Authors: Grimares, Graziella Louise D., Juan, Mary Khristine P., Ng, Allyssa Danielle Y., Rillo, Jenzel Daniel R.
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 2018
• Subjects: Social media; Mental health; Psychology
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_bachelors/8908
• Institution: De La Salle University

The study explored effects of social media on university students, ages 18 to 23, and their beliefs and behaviors towards mental health. The researchers conceptualized, using the social cognitive theory as framework, that since social media is an effective tool in disseminating information, it would affect how people, specifically university students, view mental health and in turn, how they respond to it. The study gathered data through eight focus group discusssions and found through a thematic analysis that social media influences beliefs by: providing increased information on mental health, a change in perspective, a change on attitude causing doubts on the gravity of mental health, conformity to the majority and giving misconceptions of mental health due to unreliable sources. Consequently, behaviors were influenced in that the participants exercise more caution, shared posts in support of mental health awareness, reached out to their peers and referred them to professionals.