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Zhang C. Digital technology and mental health: Chinese university students' perspectives on the impact of social media. Health Psychol Res 2024; 12:120372. [PMID: 38974127 PMCID: PMC11224065 DOI: 10.52965/001c.120372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2024] [Accepted: 06/01/2024] [Indexed: 07/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Background To address the growing concerns about mental health issues among Chinese university students, our study investigates the impact of social media on their mental health. This study intends to shed light on how these students' use of social media platforms contributes to these mental health issues, given that it has been estimated that up to 30% of university students in China suffer from mental health issues. Methods We investigate the extent of this issue by looking at how Chinese social media platforms like WeChat, Weibo, and QQ impact students' mental health. To gain a comprehensive insight into students' perspectives, this study's sole methodology is qualitative semi-structured interviews. Our core claim asserts that social media considerably affects Chinese university students' mental health, with both positive and negative consequences. Results The findings show how closely social media use and Chinese university students' mental health are related. These networks let people connect and get support but also encourage social comparison and stigma towards mental illness. Students use a variety of coping skills, such as self-regulation techniques, digital detoxification techniques, and looking for emotional support in online networks. These results highlight the need for a complex understanding of social media's effects on mental health. Our study also recognizes students' capacity for adaptation and resilience as they traverse the digital world, offering theoretical and practical applications for successfully juggling online and offline lives. Conclusion In the end, our study contributes to a thorough and culturally sensitive understanding of how social media affects the mental health of Chinese university students.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chi Zhang
- Institute of Analytical Psychology, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, City University of Macau, Xu Risheng Yingong Road, Taipa, Macau
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Lazzeri MFL, Mastorci F, Piaggi P, Doveri C, Marinaro I, Trivellini G, Casu A, Devine C, Ait-Ali L, Vassalle C, Pingitore A. A Close Association between Body Weight, Health-Related Quality of Life, and Risk Behaviors in a Sample of Italian High School Students. Nutrients 2023; 15:5107. [PMID: 38140366 PMCID: PMC10745845 DOI: 10.3390/nu15245107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2023] [Revised: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Adolescents experience rapid physical, cognitive, and psychosocial growth with different factors contributing to health and well-being. In this view, an important role is played by body weight and related perceptions. The purpose was to determine, in a sample of Italian high school students, whether health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is associated with the different weight status categories (underweight, normal weight, overweight, obese), even considering sex differences. MATERIAL AND METHODS Data were collected from 1826 adolescents (n = 735 males). HRQOL was analyzed using the Italian version of KIDSCREEN-52. RESULTS Overweight adolescents showed reductions in psychological well-being (p < 0.05) and self-perception (p < 0.05) compared with individuals in other BMI categories. Subjects with obesity reported increased bullying victimization (p < 0.05) and reductions in self-perception and eating disorders (p < 0.001), while underweight individuals were characterized by altered adherence to the Mediterranean diet (p < 0.001), eating disorders (p < 0.001), and problematic use of social media (p < 0.05). No sex differences were found, except for socio-economic status perceptions, where underweight girls reported higher economic well-being than boys (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Our findings may suggest that there is an association between weight status categories and HRQoL that is more pronounced in underweight and overweight adolescents. The association between BMI categories and psychosocial dimensions opens the need to define specific domains on which such preventive interventions should focus, always through a personalized perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Francesca Lodovica Lazzeri
- Clinical Physiology Institute, CNR, Via Moruzzi, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (M.F.L.L.); (C.D.); (I.M.); (G.T.); (A.C.); (C.D.); (L.A.-A.); (A.P.)
| | - Francesca Mastorci
- Clinical Physiology Institute, CNR, Via Moruzzi, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (M.F.L.L.); (C.D.); (I.M.); (G.T.); (A.C.); (C.D.); (L.A.-A.); (A.P.)
| | - Paolo Piaggi
- Department of Information Engineering, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy;
| | - Cristina Doveri
- Clinical Physiology Institute, CNR, Via Moruzzi, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (M.F.L.L.); (C.D.); (I.M.); (G.T.); (A.C.); (C.D.); (L.A.-A.); (A.P.)
| | - Irene Marinaro
- Clinical Physiology Institute, CNR, Via Moruzzi, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (M.F.L.L.); (C.D.); (I.M.); (G.T.); (A.C.); (C.D.); (L.A.-A.); (A.P.)
| | - Gabriele Trivellini
- Clinical Physiology Institute, CNR, Via Moruzzi, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (M.F.L.L.); (C.D.); (I.M.); (G.T.); (A.C.); (C.D.); (L.A.-A.); (A.P.)
| | - Anselmo Casu
- Clinical Physiology Institute, CNR, Via Moruzzi, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (M.F.L.L.); (C.D.); (I.M.); (G.T.); (A.C.); (C.D.); (L.A.-A.); (A.P.)
| | - Caleb Devine
- Clinical Physiology Institute, CNR, Via Moruzzi, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (M.F.L.L.); (C.D.); (I.M.); (G.T.); (A.C.); (C.D.); (L.A.-A.); (A.P.)
| | - Lamia Ait-Ali
- Clinical Physiology Institute, CNR, Via Moruzzi, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (M.F.L.L.); (C.D.); (I.M.); (G.T.); (A.C.); (C.D.); (L.A.-A.); (A.P.)
| | | | - Alessandro Pingitore
- Clinical Physiology Institute, CNR, Via Moruzzi, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (M.F.L.L.); (C.D.); (I.M.); (G.T.); (A.C.); (C.D.); (L.A.-A.); (A.P.)
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Möri M, Mongillo F, Fahr A. Images of bodies in mass and social media and body dissatisfaction: The role of internalization and self-discrepancy. Front Psychol 2022; 13:1009792. [PMID: 36605270 PMCID: PMC9807623 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1009792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction The study examines the influence on body dissatisfaction of viewed images of bodies transmitted over mass media and social media, as mediated by the internalization of body ideals through media and self-discrepancy (the difference between the perceived actual self and the perceived ideal self). Method In this study, the images of bodies individuals view in their everyday media diet are estimated using a newly developed pictorial scale for women (thinness) and men (muscularity). For participants, the perceived body image is formed through mass media (magazines, TV) and social media (Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and Snapchat). The self-discrepancy theory is then used to explain the effect of images of bodies in the media on the internalization of these body ideals and body dissatisfaction. Results Results show that Facebook and YouTube shape body ideals perceived to be prevalent in the media, negatively influencing internalization and self-discrepancy. Self-discrepancy, in turn, increases body dissatisfaction. However, for males, the perceived body ideals in the media did not affect body dissatisfaction, internalization, or self-discrepancy. Discussion These results emphasize the importance of combining and comparing mass and social media and differentiating between female and male concerns regarding body image.
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Sagrera CE, Magner J, Temple J, Lawrence R, Magner TJ, Avila-Quintero VJ, McPherson P, Alderman LL, Bhuiyan MAN, Patterson JC, Murnane KS. Social media use and body image issues among adolescents in a vulnerable Louisiana community. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:1001336. [PMID: 36405904 PMCID: PMC9669337 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.1001336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Widespread concern has been expressed regarding unrealistic body image and adolescent eating disorder promoting content on social media (SM) platforms. Numerous research studies have examined the impact of SM on body image as well as social vulnerability on negative mental health outcomes. Despite this, few previous studies have examined the impact of SM on body image specifically in vulnerable, underserved, or predominantly minority communities. This study examines the impact of SM on body image issues (BII) in adolescents in a public school system where greater than 50% of the students live in impoverished households. In late 2019, high school student leaders in Northwest Louisiana developed a survey alongside Step Forward, a collective impact initiative. Questions investigated adolescent SM use and mental health in Caddo Parish, namely BII. Teachers within Caddo Parish Public School System administered the survey. Out of the 11,248 total high school students in the school system, nearly 50% were sampled for a sample size of 5,070. Hypotheses included: (1) females were more likely to use SM than males, (2) increasing time spent on SM would correlate with females reporting BII, with males remaining largely unaffected, and (3) highly visual social media (HVSM) platforms would be associated with greater reports of BII than non-HVSM platforms. Results showed females were more likely to use SM (p < 0.001) and report BII (p < 0.001) compared to males, while both sexes reported BII with increasing time spent on SM (p < 0.001). A diversity of platforms were associated with increased BII among SM users compared to non-users (p < 0.001): Pinterest, Reddit, Snapchat, TikTok, Twitter, and YouTube. This conclusion is tempered by the omission of race as a variable in the study design, the use of self-report, and the use of an unvalidated instrument. These findings suggest that the harmful association between SM use and BII may transcend culture and socioeconomic status for a broadly deleterious effect on adolescent mental wellbeing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline E. Sagrera
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, School of Medicine, Louisiana State University Health Shreveport, Shreveport, LA, United States
- Louisiana Addiction Research Center, Shreveport, LA, United States
| | - Johnette Magner
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, School of Medicine, Louisiana State University Health Shreveport, Shreveport, LA, United States
- Louisiana Addiction Research Center, Shreveport, LA, United States
- School of Communication and Media Studies, Louisiana Tech University, Ruston, LA, United States
| | - Jazzlynn Temple
- Caddo Parish Magnet High School, Shreveport, LA, United States
| | - Robert Lawrence
- Caddo Parish Magnet High School, Shreveport, LA, United States
| | | | | | - Pamela McPherson
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, School of Medicine, Louisiana State University Health Shreveport, Shreveport, LA, United States
- Louisiana Addiction Research Center, Shreveport, LA, United States
| | - Laura Lane Alderman
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, School of Medicine, Louisiana State University Health Shreveport, Shreveport, LA, United States
- Louisiana Addiction Research Center, Shreveport, LA, United States
| | - Mohammad Alfrad Nobel Bhuiyan
- Division of Clinical Informatics, Department of Internal Medicine, Louisiana State University Health Shreveport, Shreveport, LA, United States
| | - James C. Patterson
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, School of Medicine, Louisiana State University Health Shreveport, Shreveport, LA, United States
- Louisiana Addiction Research Center, Shreveport, LA, United States
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Neuroscience, School of Graduate Studies, Louisiana State University Health Shreveport, Shreveport, LA, United States
| | - Kevin S. Murnane
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, School of Medicine, Louisiana State University Health Shreveport, Shreveport, LA, United States
- Louisiana Addiction Research Center, Shreveport, LA, United States
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Neuroscience, School of Graduate Studies, Louisiana State University Health Shreveport, Shreveport, LA, United States
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Zhou L, Lee SH, Cao Y. An empirical analysis of sport for mental health from the perspective of a factor analysis approach. Front Psychol 2022; 13:960255. [PMID: 35978771 PMCID: PMC9377415 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.960255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Mental health is a kind of emotional state, a good psychological state can have a positive impact on a person, physical exercise can have a positive impact on the psychological state of college students, prevent the generation of negative emotions, improve the bad emotional state, and then promote the mental health of college students. Health is an inevitable requirement to promote the all-round development of people and a basic condition for economic and social development. Health education should be incorporated into the national education system to promote the national health of the people through sports. Young people are the main force and backbone of national and social development. In order to realize the Chinese dream of great rejuvenation, we must attach importance to the development of young people and the physical and mental health of young people. In the process of compulsory education, middle school and high school period is a key stage in the gradual formation and development of students' psychology and body, but due to the large audience of China's education, the competition is more intense, which inevitably causes a lot of students to focus on exam-oriented education and neglect physical health, especially in recent years, the mental health issues of increasing concern. Through the research situation of mental health in China and the concept of mental health quality, this paper analyzes the problems of sports and mental health, and puts forward some corresponding suggestions for the problems, which has reference significance for promoting students' mental health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lan Zhou
- Department of Physical Education, Northwest University, Xi'an, China
- *Correspondence: Lan Zhou
| | - Sang-Ho Lee
- College of Arts and Sports, Dong-A University, Busan, South Korea
| | - Youshen Cao
- College of Arts and Sports, Dong-A University, Busan, South Korea
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Goodwin J, Behan L, O'Brien N. Teachers' views and experiences of student mental health and well-being programmes: A systematic review. J Child Adolesc Ment Health 2021; 33:55-74. [PMID: 37539544 DOI: 10.2989/17280583.2023.2229876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/05/2023]
Abstract
Background: In schools, teachers are often tasked with implementing mental health and well-being programmes. However, little is known about teachers' views on and experiences with implementing these programmes.Aim: The aim of this systematic review was to explore teachers' views and experiences of mental health and well-being intervention programmes developed to promote and protect student mental health.Methods: A systematic review of the empirical literature was conducted using the following databases: Academic Search Complete, APA PsycArticles, APA PsycInfo, British Education Index, Education Full Text (H.W. Wilson), ERIC, Social Sciences Full Text (H.W. Wilson), and SocINDEX with Full Text.Findings: Seven papers met the inclusion criteria. Teachers reported several challenges to the successful implementation of mental health and well-being programmes, including a lack of time allotted in the curriculum, insufficient training, and inadequate interagency support. There was evidence of conflicting opinions regarding the role of teachers in supporting students.Conclusion: It is recommended that mental health and well-being are viewed as central to schools' ethos and that teachers are adequately prepared to implement programmes.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Goodwin
- Catherine McAuley School of Nursing and Midwifery, University College Cork, Ireland
| | - Laura Behan
- Health Information and Quality Authority, Ireland
| | - Niamh O'Brien
- Department of Education, South East Technological University, Ireland
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