EXPLORING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SOCIAL MEDIA HABITS AND ANXIETY LEVELS IN ADULTS: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Objective: To determine the frequency of anxiety and its association with the duration of social media use, preferred platforms, and the age at which social media use began among adults.

Study Design: Cross-sectional observational study

Setting: Saidu Group of Teaching Hospitals, Swat

Duration: September 2024 to August 2025

Methods: This was conducted at, on 327 adults aged 16–45 years who were active social media users. Data were collected on socio-demographics, social media usage patterns, and anxiety using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) scale. Participants with severe psychiatric disorders, cognitive impairment, or incomplete responses were excluded. Social media use, including age of initiation and daily duration, was recorded. Associations were tested using Chi-square and ANOVA tests.

Results: Males (67.28%) were more than females (32.72%), with a mean age of 31.34 ± 8.38 years. Participants began using social media at 17.19 ± 4.47 years and spent an average of 3.00 ±

1.19 hours daily, most commonly on YouTube and Facebook. Moderate anxiety was most common (47.71%), followed by minimal (27.52%) and severe anxiety (17.74%), with a strong positive correlation between social media use and anxiety (r = 0.75, p < 0.001). Those with severe anxiety started social media earlier and spent more hours daily (p < 0.001).

Conclusion: Social media, though useful, can negatively impact mental health, with early and prolonged use linked to higher anxiety levels.

Keywords: Anxiety, Social Media, GAD-7, Adults