A cross-sectional survey of Social Media Anxiety among students of University of Nigeria

Abstract

BackgroundSocial anxiety is one of the most prevalent and disabling anxiety disorders with lifetime prevalence rates ranging from 2 to 16% s in different populations. Considering the rising use of social media among university students, it is necessary to assess their social anxiety as a result of the use of social media platforms since social anxiety can affect social interaction in social media\n\nMethodsThe current study employed a cross-sectional descriptive approach and was carried out among undergraduate students of University of Nigeria, Nsukka. The Social Anxiety Scale for Social Media Users (SAS-SMU) which is a data collection tool to assess levels of social anxiety experienced by university students while using social media platforms was used in the current study. Data were analyzed with IBM Statistical Products and Service Solutions (SPSS) for Windows, Version 20.0.\n\nResultsA total of 228 out of the 380 questionnaires distributed were filled and returned (60% response rate). Social media usage was highest for WhatsApp (4.4{+/-}0.902) and Facebook (3.3{+/-}1.055). Social media anxiety was higher in females (69.00{+/-}12.59) than males (68.42{+/-}12.06) although this difference did not reach statistical significance (t = -0.356, p = 0.864). Social media usage was higher in females (35.02{+/-}5.04) than males (34.58{+/-}6.01) but the difference did not reach statistical significance (t = -0.603, p = 0.314). There was a non-significant negative association between Social media usage and social media anxiety (r = -0.051, p = 0.4450). More than half of the students (55.7%, n = 127) had social media anxiety.\n\nConclusionIn conclusion, there was a negative non-significant correlation between social media usage and social anxiety. Investigations regarding social anxiety in social media are scarce from low and middle income countries and this is the first from an African country.