Fenomen zavisnosti od društvenih mreža kao javnozdravstveni problem i povezanost sa simptomima mentalnih poremećaja kod studenata

Abstract

The study included 1,400 randomly selected students. Symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress were assessed using the DASS 42 scale. Symptoms of excessive use of social networks were measured with the Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale - BSMAS. Also, the socioeconomic characteristics of the examined students are shown; as well as different habits in terms of using the social networks themselves and those of different lifestyles. The study was conducted through a google forms electronic questionnaire. Statistical data analysis included the application of descriptive tests, multiple linear regression analysis, correlation tests and analytical parametric tests, as well as binary logistic regression tests. Extremely high levels of depressive symptoms were reported by 232 students (16.6%). Severe and extremely severe anxiety symptoms were reported by 480 students (34.3%), while 420 (30.0%) students were exposed to moderate, severe or extremely severe stress. It was found that the symptoms of depression are more pronounced in students who consumed alcoholic beverages and psychoactive substances more often during the pandemic. Anxiety symptoms were slightly more pronounced in students who slept longer at night, consumed more alcoholic beverages, especially during the pandemic, as well as in students for whom social networks represented an adequate substitute for the content that was denied during the pandemic. More frequent consumption of alcoholic beverages during the pandemic, as well as general consumption of psychoactive substances, proved to be a significant predictor in all three models: for symptoms of depression, for anxiety and increased stress, consequently. Of the six components of addiction, the greatest predictor of whether the respondent has a high level of depressive symptoms was the state of conflict, where the odds ratio was OR=10.28. This shows that respondents with a higher conflict component score have depressive symptoms 10.28 times more often, all factors in the model being equal. It was observed that symptoms of depression are also more common in patients with severe withdrawal symptoms (OR=4.27), followed by mood modification (OR=1.82) and with relapse (OR=1.49). Symptoms of anxiety were, similarly to symptoms of depression, most present in subjects with a conflicted state (OR=10.31), in those with withdrawal symptoms (OR=6.83), and then in students with pronounced mood changes (OR= 2.55). In creating adequate interventions aimed at solving this problem, it should be borne in mind that the goal cannot be complete weaning, but controlled and meaningful use of social networks through the development of adequate skills and raising awareness of possible risks to health and general well-being due to excessive use. Bearing in mind the exceptional sensitivity of young people during their studies, as well as the indicators that speak of the growing trends of mental health disorders in this period, early detection and timely treatment are of priority importance.