Do Social Media Impact Young Adult Mental Health and Well-Being? A Qualitative Study. (26th April 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Dodemaide, Paul; Merolli, Mark; Hill, Nicole; Joubert, Lynette
• Is Part Of: British journal of social work. Volume 52:Number 8(2022)
• Page Start: 4664
• Page End: 4683
• Publication Date: 2022-04-26
• Subjects: lived experience -- mental health -- phenomenology -- qualitative method -- social media -- well-being -- young adult; Social service -- Periodicals; Social workers -- Periodicals; 361
• DOI: 10.1093/bjsw/bcac078
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0045-3102

Abstract

Abstract: The Social Work profession recognises the ethical and educational implications of social media usage but remains cautious in embracing the technology in the context of clinical practice. Social media platforms allow their users to share thoughts, opinions, experiences, information, develop online communities and access social and emotional support. Social media-focused research in the mental health context has described the risk of vulnerable populations using social media. However, there is a dearth of research examining the lived experiences of young adult social media users or addressing both the perceived risks and benefits. Social Work clinicians need to understand the experience of clients and be able to respond to questions or challenges that service users using social media experience. Deploying inductive thematic content analysis, this study presents the qualitative findings of an online survey eliciting the experience of young adult social media users. Young adults reported varying perspectives, including preferences for anonymity, how social media is employed and consideration that specific platforms are either helpful or harmful. Results are discussed with consideration given to existing literature. This article contributes to the evidence-base for social work and other disciplines, allowing for a greater phenomenological understanding of young adults' use of social media. Abstract : Social media allow us to share experiences and information online and to access social and emotional support. We report on findings from an online survey seeking the lived experience of young adults who use social media. Anonymity and platform preferences are discussed, as well as perceptions that some specific social media are more helpful or harmful than others. This article contributes to a developing understanding of young adults' use of social media.