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1 Literature Review: Does using social networking sites (e.g., Instagram) cause mental health disorders? Name of Student: Institutional Affiliation: Course Code/Name: Instructor’s Name: Due Date:

2 Literature Review: Does using social networking sites (e.g., Instagram) cause mental health disorders? Introduction The New Media Age introduced the widespread usage of social networking sites around the globe. Social sites like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram were developed to allow efficient communication, messaging, sharing images, news sharing, and integration purposes. In a nationwide survey conducted in the United States, around 35% of children aged between 10 to 15 reported using various social media platforms, while approximately 85% were aged between 15 to 18 years (Piteo & Ward, 2020). Due to the widespread use of SNS, many children and adolescents have suffered mental health disorders. According to research conducted in Australia, around 6% of teenagers between the ages of 10 and 16 reported having mental health disorders like stress, depression, and anxiety (Piteo and Ward, 2020). These data communicate the severe undesirable effects of SNS on the mental health of children and teenagers. As a result, debates on whether social networking sites usage is beneficial or detrimental to mental health have been on the increase. Benefits of SNS SNS has been shown to have helpful influences on both adults and teenagers. According to Piteo & Ward (2020), these sites increase the aspect of connectedness as they boost friends' accessibility which is challenging in face-to-face encounters. As a result, various sites like Instagram have been associated with decreased loneliness, increased life

3 satisfaction, and access to social support, resulting in reduced chances of the users experiencing mental health challenges. Additionally, people use social networking sites to express their views and sentiments and communicate about personal issues with their online friends. People can also utilize social networking sites to make new friends with similar goals who can help each other develop and become better individuals (Gowen et al., 2012 ). This in hand reduces the chances of social networking sites users experiencing mental health challenges as they share their challenges and express their fears. Studies have reported that people with severe mental health disorders and teenagers with psychological challenges appear to create and develop online connections with other social networking sites users (Gowen et al., 2012 ). This is a crucial observation as people living with mental health challenges often have less contact and thus feel lonely (Giacco et al., 2016 ). Among the people who openly receive psychological health services, around 45% reported relying on various social networking sites to avoid loneliness (Gowen et al., 2012 ). In different research of teenagers with psychological health challenges, most reported that they relied on social networking platforms like Facebook and Twitter to eliminate the feeling of isolation (Gowen et al., 2012 ). Most of the mental health victims mainly examined used social networking sites for communal activities like religious activities, voting, engaging with friends and families, and working (Brusilovskiy et al., 2016 ).

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4 SNSs are not only for keeping mental health victims connected and engaged. The sites also help share mental health information crucial to individuals with psychological disorders (Lal et al., 2018 ). SNS helps these individuals connect with mental health care providers, accessing mental health information, and connecting with other people with similar challenges (Naslund et al. 6 ). "Based on the widespread use of social media among individuals living with mental illness combined with the potential to facilitate social interaction and connect with supportive peers, it may be possible to leverage the popular features of social media to enhance existing mental health programs and services." (Naslund et al., 2020, p. 248) A review done in 2018 explained that online support appears to be viable in helping individuals with psychological challenges improve compliance and adherence to guidance and knowledge to help the victims recover (Biagianti et al., 2018 ). Adverse Effects of SNS Usage However, research reports that social networking sites usage has had more negative benefits than positive benefits. Excessive SNS usage can be connected to mental health disorders such as despair, apprehension, aloneness, and low self-confidence (Hussain et al., 2020). In addition, according to Salmea-Aro et al. (2017), Excessive usage of various social platforms can disturb people's daily lives affecting their routine of working and waking up. The problematic and the uncontrolled use of the various social networking sites is explained as being excessively concerned with the various social platforms, enthused by the

5 solid craving to log on to social platforms and dedicating much time and energy to the platforms, negatively interfering with studies, job, relationships, psychology and human welfare (Hussain et al., 2020). The idea that the excessive usage of various social networking sites may result in detrimental consequences on humans' welfare is common. According to a HomeNet project conducted in 1995, greater use of the various social platforms is connected to increased signs of solitude, dejection, low self-esteem, and stress. The Project involved providing "internet access and a computer to several households that previously had no internet experience and examined their psychological health for several years." (Kraut et al., 2002). A study conducted in 2013 by Rosen and colleagues reported similar results to those reported by Kraut (2002) and colleagues. The study involved 1,143 respondents who were college students. The conclusion explained that excessive social media usage is associated with major depressive disorders like bipolar-mania, compulsive behavior, narcissism, loneliness, and dysthymia. Social Networking Sites and Depression A study conducted in Croatia reported that time spent in SNS by students is connected with dejection. These conclusions related to Rosen et al.'s (2013) findings which reported that people who spent excessive time on SNS and ones who engaged in "Facebook image management" show more "severe clinical symptoms of major depression." (Rosen et al.,

6 2013). Similarly, a study conducted on higher education students found that more social media users reflected increased aloneness and decreased self-value (Lou et al., 2012). In addition, Kalpidou and colleagues (2011) explained that Facebook users who reported having a "high number of online friends experienced lower emotional change to college life." In addition, the researchers realized that learners who use much of their time on SNS like Facebook and Instagram reflected possession of low self- esteem than those who spent limited time. The quality of SNS interactions acts as the predictor of mental health. According to Selfhout et al. (2009), teenagers with a limited number of quality friends and frequently used SNS at a specific time A were less likely to be depressed later on. Contrariwise, teenagers with a limited number of quality friends and inertly use SNS at Time A were more likely to be unhappy and lonely later. Davila (2012) also researched the challenge. When assessing the behaviors of 334 respondents, he realized that more adverse and less helpful communications on SNS were connected to bigger depressing symptoms. However, Shaw & Gant (2002) developed an "inverse association between internet use and depression." They recommended that various "social forms of internet use like gaming and charting help reduce the risk of depression." (Shaw & Gant, 2002). SNS and Narcissism

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7 Narcissism is another effect of excessive usage of social networking sites that negatively influences mental health. In a study, Rosen (2013) reported that individuals with narcissism characteristics and increased SNS usage easily avoided a depression. Though narcissists were able to prevent depression, this cannot be termed as an optimistic thing. According to Rosen et al. (2013), narcissism is associated with an excessive sense of importance, vanity, self-promotion, fantasies related to limitless power, and insincere relationships. Rosen et al. (2013) further explained that SNS aggravates selfishness; more time spent on social networking sites and increased rate of logging in to the various sites results in a higher narcissism level. The researchers further reported that narcissists direct their narcissistic characteristics to other internet users, adversely affecting their mental health. Social Networking Sites and Anxiety Various studies are connecting social networking sites to apprehension and uncontrollable behavior. A recent study reported that around 45% of British grownups feel apprehensive when they cannot log in to their SNS (Strickland, 2014). It was also reported that younger groups like the 'Net Generation' are often on their phones and computers checking messages, updates, posts, and likes on their various social media platforms like Instagram. In addition, the younger generation recorded a high level of anxiety than the older generation when they did not throw a glance into their SNS and messages. From this, a new name has been coined from internet addiction: "Phantom vibration syndrome,"

8 explained as the imaginary vibration. Many people have adopted this behavior, especially young individuals (Drouin et al., 2012). SNS, Gender and Mental Health Disorder According to numerous studies on the correlation between SNS usage and mental health disorders, the SNS has positive and detrimental effects. To support this idea, Scott et al. (2020) explored the effect of internet use on both male and female genders. The study's outcomes communicated that females who use social networking sites now and then have a high likelihood of developing mental health challenges compared to men. The research finding communicated that this effect is common among individuals aged between 18 and 34 years. In 2018, Booker and colleagues found similar results after detailed and extensive research work. However, the study's respondents included individuals between the age of 10 to 15 years. The research results demonstrated an increase in socio-emotional challenges and reduction in happiness for females who excessively use social networking sites. The study also found that this behavior influences girl's well-being in adolescents, making them have low self-esteem and increased anxiety. As it is assumed that the adolescent stage influences people's physical and mental health, many teenagers who encounter mental health issues during this critical phase of life experience the same challenges in adulthood, especially in their twenties and early thirties. As a result, decreased well-being due to

9 excessive usage of social networking sites could worsen and result in psychological challenges. Social Comparison on SNSs and Mental Health Social networking sites such as Instagram are one of the locations where people communicate, express their ideas, and see what other people do. As a result, there is a high likelihood of people comparing themselves with others on various sites, implying that these platforms are essential venues for individuals to evaluate themselves, create their individualities, and feel pleased/ displeased with themselves from the results of the comparison with others (Lee, 2014). Social comparison, in most cases, takes place when people liken themselves to others based on qualities and individualities they perceive crucial (Steers et al., 2014). According to Festinger (1954), who theorized the concept of comparison, people have an inbuilt desire to socially liken themselves to others to assess their abilities and talents. They choose the individuals to compare themselves depending on observed comparisons. People often compare themselves to friends and colleagues on issues that are personal to them. Research has demonstrated that comparing oneself to people who have made it in life results in depression, low self-esteem, and anxiety in trying to gain wealth or social acceptance (Steers et al., 2014). In 2014, Steers and colleagues undertook a study examining the connection between the frequency of Facebook usage and depressing signs. The respondents were between 18 and 42 years of age, and they were racially varied. The results demonstrated that social comparisons

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10 had increased depression symptoms depending on the time spent on Facebook and other SNS. More time spent on social platforms enables people to liken themselves impulsively socially to others connected with an upsurge in the number of daily depression cases globally (Steers et al., 2014). The comparison originates from images, status, and videos posted. This behavior leaves the victim suffering psychologically without the knowledge of anyone. Overall, the comparison behavior results in feeling bad, contributing towards the affected individuals experiencing depression symptoms. Similarly, Feinstein et al. (2013) undertook a three weeks' study on the "correlation between social comparison and mental health disorders." The study involved individuals aged 18 and above. The results communicated that SNS offer numerous openings for individuals to liken themselves with others which always have a detrimental impact on their psychological health. Alfasi (2019) went further to evaluate the issue of social comparison via social networking platforms and obtained the same results. She conducted a study with 80 adult participants to assess the effect of Facebook Newsfeed on the individuals' depression level. The comparison level was assessed by requesting the participants to visit their Facebook Newsfeed. This feature constantly changes due to friends' constant updates (Images, status, videos, and links) (Alfasi, 2019). The conclusions from this study supported the researcher's proposition that Facebook social comparison intensifies feelings of depression. A higher depression level was experienced by those who visited their Facebook Newsfeed than those who just explored Facebook for non-social purposes. This conclusion

11 reflects that the consequence of social comparison on depression in various social networking sites refers to the person's general propensity to be comparable (Alfasi, 2019). Although the result of the research correlated with the hypothesis, the study had limitations. In addition, numerous researches conducted on this issue do not look into the long- term effect of excessive social networking usage and mental health disorder. Therefore, there is a need for modern researchers to dig into the issue and determine the long terms effects of excessive use of SNS. Conclusion To conclude, numerous researchers have demonstrated the effect of SNS on mental health disorders. Precisely, extreme usage and social comparison are damaging to mental health. Excessive use results in limited socialization, anxiety, loneliness, depression, stress, and other mental health-related symptoms. In addition, social comparison influences people's thinking and behaviors, making them admire what their friends have even if they have limited capacity compared to their friends. Therefore, social networking sites can be termed as factors that cause individuals to have mental health disorders. However, detailed research needs to be done to examine the long-term effect of SNS on mental health and users' overall well-being.

12 References Alfasi, Y. (2019). The grass is always greener on my friends' profiles: The effect of Facebook social comparison on state self-esteem and depression. Personality and Individual Differences , 147 , 111- 117. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2019.04.032

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13 Biagianti, B., Quraishi, S. H., & Schlosser, D. A. (2018). Potential benefits of incorporating peer-to-peer interactions into digital interventions for psychotic disorders: A systematic review. Psychiatric Services , 69 (4), 377- 388. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ps.201700283 Brusilovskiy, E., Townley, G., Snethen, G., & Salzer, M. S. (2016). Social media use, community participation, and psychological well-being among individuals with serious mental illnesses. Computers in Human Behavior , 65 , 232- 240. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2016.08.036 Davila, J., Hershenberg, R., Feinstein, B. A., Gorman, K., Bhatia, V., & Starr, L. R. (2012). Frequency and quality of social networking among young adults: Associations with depressive symptoms, rumination, and corumination. Psychology of Popular Media Culture , 1 (2), 72-86. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0027512 Drouin, M., Kaiser, D. H., & Miller, D. A. (2012). Phantom vibrations among undergraduates: Prevalence and associated psychological characteristics. Computers in Human Behavior , 28 (4), 1490- 1496. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2012.03.013 Feinstein, B. A., Hershenberg, R., Bhatia, V., Latack, J. A., Meuwly, N., & Davila, J. (2013). Negative social comparison on Facebook and depressive symptoms: Rumination as a mechanism. Psychology of Popular Media Culture , 2 (3), 161- 170. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0033111

14 Festinger, L. (1954). A theory of social comparison processes. Human Relations , 7 (2), 117- 140. https://doi.org/10.1177/001872675400700202 Giacco, D., Palumbo, C., Strappelli, N., Catapano, F., & Priebe, S. (2016). Social contacts and loneliness in people with psychotic and mood disorders. Comprehensive Psychiatry , 66 , 59- 66. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.comppsych.2015.12.008 Gowen, K., Deschaine, M., Gruttadara, D., & Markey, D. (2012). Young adults with mental health conditions and social networking websites: Seeking tools to build community. Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal , 35 (3), 245- 250. https://doi.org/10.2975/35.3.2012.245.250 Grant, J. E., Potenza, M. N., Weinstein, A., & Gorelick, D. A. (2010). Introduction to behavioral addictions. The American journal of drug and alcohol abuse , 36 (5), 233-241. Hussain, Z., Wegmann, E., Yang, H., & Montag, C. (2020). Social networks use disorder and associations with depression and anxiety symptoms: A systematic review of recent research in China. Frontiers in Psychology , 11 . https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.00211 Kalpidou, M., Costin, D., & Morris, J. (2011). The relationship between Facebook and the well-being of undergraduate college students. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking , 14 (4), 183-189. https://doi.org/10.1089/cyber.2010.0061

15 Kraut, R., Kiesler, S., Boneva, B., Cummings, J., Helgeson, V., & Crawford, A. (2002). Internet paradox revisited. Journal of Social Issues , 58 (1), 49-74. https://doi.org/10.1111/1540-4560.00248 Kronenberg, F., Pereira, M. A., Schmitz, M. H., Arnett, D. K., Evenson, K. R., Crapo, R. O., Jensen, R. L., Burke, G. L., Sholinsky, P., Ellison, R., & Hunt, S. C. (2000). Influence of leisure time physical activity and television watching on atherosclerosis risk factors in the NHLBI family heart study. Atherosclerosis , 153 (2), 433- 443. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0021-9150(00)00426-3 Lal, S., Nguyen, V., & Theriault, J. (2018). Seeking mental health information and support online: Experiences and perspectives of young people receiving treatment for first-episode psychosis. Early Intervention in Psychiatry , 12 (3), 324- 330. https://doi.org/10.1111/eip.12317 Lee, S. Y. (2014). How do people compare themselves with others on social network sites?: The case of Facebook. Computers in Human Behavior , 32 , 253-260. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2013.12.009 Lou, L. L., Yan, Z., Nickerson, A., & McMorris, R. (2012). An examination of the reciprocal relationship of loneliness and Facebook use among first-year college students. Journal of Educational Computing Research , 46 (1), 105-117. https://doi.org/10.2190/ec.46.1.e Naslund, J. A., Aschbrenner, K. A., Marsch, L. A., & Bartels, S. J. (2016). Feasibility and acceptability of Facebook for health promotion among people with serious mental illness. DIGITAL HEALTH , 2 , 205520761665482. https://doi.org/10.1177/2055207616654822

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16 Naslund, J. A., Bondre, A., Torous, J., & Aschbrenner, K. A. (2020). Social media and mental health: Benefits, risks, and opportunities for research and practice. Journal of Technology in Behavioral Science , 5 (3), 245-257. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41347-020-00134- x Piteo, E. M., & Ward, K. (2020). Review: Social networking sites and associations with depressive and anxiety symptoms in children and adolescents – a systematic review. Child and Adolescent Mental Health , 25 (4), 201-216. https://doi.org/10.1111/camh.12373 Rosen, L., Whaling, K., Rab, S., Carrier, L., & Cheever, N. (2013). Is Facebook creating "iDisorders"? The link between clinical symptoms of psychiatric disorders and technology use, attitudes, and anxiety. Computers in Human Behavior , 29 (3), 1243- 1254. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2012.11.012 Salmela-Aro, K., Upadyaya, K., Hakkarainen, K., Lonka, K., & Alho, K. (2016). The dark side of internet use: Two longitudinal studies of excessive internet use, depressive symptoms, school burnout and engagement among Finnish early and late adolescents. Journal of Youth and Adolescence , 46 (2), 343- 357. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-016-0494-2 Scott, E. S., Canivet, C., & Östergren, P. (2020). Investigating the effect of social networking site use on mental health in an 18–34-year-old general population; a cross-sectional study using the 2016 Scania public health survey. BMC Public Health , 20 (1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-020-09732-z

17 Selfhout, M. H., Branje, S. J., Delsing, M., Ter Bogt, T. F., & Meeus, W. H. (2009). Different types of internet use, depression, and social anxiety: The role of perceived friendship quality. Journal of Adolescence , 32 (4), 819- 833. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.adolescence.2008.10.011 Steers, M. N., Wickham, R. E., & Acitelli, L. K. (2014). Seeing everyone else's highlight reels: How Facebook usage is linked to depressive symptoms. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology , 33 (8), 701- 731. https://doi.org/10.1521/jscp.2014.33.8.701 Strickland, A. (2014). Exploring the effects of social media use on the mental health of young adults.

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