Predicting Anxiety Levels From Social Media Use and Daily Screen Time Among University Students
Keywords:
Anxiety, Social Media Use, Screen Time, University Students, Digital Behavior, Mental HealthAbstract
This study aimed to examine the predictive relationship between social media use, daily screen time, and anxiety levels among university students. A correlational descriptive research design was employed using a sample of 400 undergraduate students from Egyptian universities, selected based on the Morgan and Krejcie sample size table. Participants completed standardized instruments including the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale (GAD-7), the Social Media Engagement Questionnaire (SMEQ), and the Smartphone Usage Questionnaire (SUQ). Data were analyzed using SPSS version 27. Pearson correlation coefficients were calculated to assess the bivariate relationships between anxiety and each independent variable. Multiple linear regression was then conducted to evaluate the combined predictive power of social media use and daily screen time on anxiety. Results showed significant positive correlations between anxiety and social media use (r = .56, p < .01) and between anxiety and daily screen time (r = .41, p < .01). The overall regression model was statistically significant, F(2, 397) = 92.16, p < .001, explaining 37% of the variance in anxiety (R² = .37). Both social media use (β = .49, p < .001) and screen time (β = .29, p < .001) emerged as significant predictors, with social media use demonstrating a stronger contribution to anxiety levels. The findings indicate that both social media engagement and prolonged screen time are significant predictors of anxiety among university students, with social media use having a more substantial impact. These results underscore the need for targeted interventions aimed at promoting balanced digital habits in higher education settings to mitigate mental health risks.
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