Exploring the Correlation Between Social Media Activity & Anxiety Levels Among Students: A case study for undergraduates in Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka

Abstract

Social media use by university students raises concerns about mental health, particularly anxiety. While few studies in South Asia address this issue comprehensively, behavioral aspects are often neglected. This study explores the correlation between social media use and anxiety among undergraduates at Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka, focusing on anxiety-inducing usage patterns such as social media checking frequency, usage during study periods, impact on sleep, Fear of Missing Out (FOMO), comparison with others, prioritization of social media, and discomfort when unable to access social media. A sample of 380 undergraduates, stratified by academic year, was selected from a population of 7,022. A pilot survey of 100 students validated the questionnaire. Social media use, the independent variable, was assessed alongside anxiety levels (minimal, mild, moderate, and severe) using the General Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) scale. Reliability analysis confirmed the dataset's validity (Cronbach’s Alpha = 0.878). Descriptive statistics, Pearson, and Spearman correlations revealed significant relationships. A weak positive association was found between social media checking frequency and anxiety levels (r = 0.501, p = 0.028). Checking social media upon waking (r = 0.559, p = 0.004) and its impact on sleep (r = 0.580, p = 0.002) were associated with greater anxiety. Social media usage during study periods also correlated positively with anxiety (r = 0.539, p = 0.008). Descriptive statistics showed 47.5% of students had minimal anxiety, 34.2% mild, and 18.3% moderate. The highest anxiety level (42.5%) was observed in students using social media for 2–4 hours daily, while the lowest was in users with under 1 hour. This study demonstrates that frequent checking, use during study, and sleep disruption due to social media increase anxiety. These insights provide compelling evidence for interventions promoting healthier social media habits to mitigate mental health impacts among students.