Date of Graduation
12-2023
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy in Public Policy (PhD)
Degree Level
Graduate
Department
Public Policy
Advisor/Mentor
Brinck Kerr
Committee Member
Henry, Leah
Second Committee Member
Schreckhise, William
Third Committee Member
Primack, Brian
Keywords
Mental Health, Public Policy, Social Media
Abstract
The relationship between social media use among young people and the increasing concerns of mental health problems in the U.S. and globally is on systemic agendas. Furthermore, research on social media use and mental health indicate reasons to suspect a causal relationship, but more work needs to be done. Therefore, this three-article dissertation seeks to explore (1) associations between social media use, personality, and depression; (2) associations between social media emotional support, anxiety, and personality; and (3) the relationship between social media use and mental health using Deborah Stone’s causal stories framework. Findings from this study provide an improved understanding of the relationship between social media use and mental health and suggest ways in which public health professionals and policy makers can begin to address the policy problem.
Citation
Merrill, R. A. (2023). Social Media and Mental Health: The Public Health Impact and Future Policy Directives. Graduate Theses and Dissertations Retrieved from https://scholarworks.uark.edu/etd/5158
Included in
Policy Design, Analysis, and Evaluation Commons, Public Health Commons, Public Policy Commons, Social Media Commons