Digital Engagement and Mental Health Outcomes among First-Year University Adolescents
1
Community Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A2487
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
The transition into university life is a period of increased independence for many adolescents, often accompanied by greater and less supervised engagement with social media. While digital platforms offer social and academic benefits, excessive engagement or problematic use may negatively affect mental health. This study assessed the prevalence of problematic social media use (PSMU) and its association with mental health in first-year adolescents.
METHODS:
A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 366 first-year adolescents residing in nine University of Ibadan–owned halls of residence. Using total sampling, eligible students were recruited, excluding those living off-campus or repeatedly absent. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to elicit information on socio-demographics, social media use, and mental health outcomes. PSMU was assessed using the 9-item Social Media Disorder (SMD) scale, while mental health outcome was measured with the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12). SMD scores of 5–9 indicated PSMU, and higher GHQ-12 scores reflected poorer mental health outcomes. Analysis was done using SPSS version 26 with significance set at p<0.05.
RESULTS:
The mean age of participants was 18.6 ± 0.6 years, with 47.4% being male. One-quarter (25.0%) of respondents met the criteria for PSMU, and 44.3% had poor mental health. Spending 5–10 hours or more than 10 hours daily on social media was significantly associated with higher odds of PSMU. Adolescents in steady relationships were three times more likely to report PSMU (OR =3.2, 95% CI =1.37-7.61), and those with PSMU had higher odds of experiencing poor mental health (OR= 4.5, 95% CI =2.34-8.59).
CONCLUSIONS:
PSMU is common among first-year university adolescents and is strongly associated with psychological distress. As adolescents in learning institutions navigate newfound independence, targeted interventions promoting healthy digital habits, supportive relationships, and engagement in offline activities are essential to support mental well-being.
The transition into university life is a period of increased independence for many adolescents, often accompanied by greater and less supervised engagement with social media. While digital platforms offer social and academic benefits, excessive engagement or problematic use may negatively affect mental health. This study assessed the prevalence of problematic social media use (PSMU) and its association with mental health in first-year adolescents.
METHODS:
A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 366 first-year adolescents residing in nine University of Ibadan–owned halls of residence. Using total sampling, eligible students were recruited, excluding those living off-campus or repeatedly absent. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to elicit information on socio-demographics, social media use, and mental health outcomes. PSMU was assessed using the 9-item Social Media Disorder (SMD) scale, while mental health outcome was measured with the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12). SMD scores of 5–9 indicated PSMU, and higher GHQ-12 scores reflected poorer mental health outcomes. Analysis was done using SPSS version 26 with significance set at p<0.05.
RESULTS:
The mean age of participants was 18.6 ± 0.6 years, with 47.4% being male. One-quarter (25.0%) of respondents met the criteria for PSMU, and 44.3% had poor mental health. Spending 5–10 hours or more than 10 hours daily on social media was significantly associated with higher odds of PSMU. Adolescents in steady relationships were three times more likely to report PSMU (OR =3.2, 95% CI =1.37-7.61), and those with PSMU had higher odds of experiencing poor mental health (OR= 4.5, 95% CI =2.34-8.59).
CONCLUSIONS:
PSMU is common among first-year university adolescents and is strongly associated with psychological distress. As adolescents in learning institutions navigate newfound independence, targeted interventions promoting healthy digital habits, supportive relationships, and engagement in offline activities are essential to support mental well-being.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
We process personal data collected when visiting the website. The function of obtaining information about users and their behavior is carried out by voluntarily entered information in forms and saving cookies in end devices. Data, including cookies, are used to provide services, improve the user experience and to analyze the traffic in accordance with the Privacy policy. Data are also collected and processed by Google Analytics tool (more).
You can change cookies settings in your browser. Restricted use of cookies in the browser configuration may affect some functionalities of the website.
You can change cookies settings in your browser. Restricted use of cookies in the browser configuration may affect some functionalities of the website.
