Date of Graduation

5-2026

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science in Human Environmental Sciences

Degree Level

Undergraduate

Department

General Human Environmental Sciences

Advisor/Mentor

Amanda Terrell

Committee Member

Nick Johnston

Second Committee Member

Treisha Peterson

Abstract

Rates of depression among adolescents and emerging adults have increased in recent years, with screen media use identified as a potential contributing factor. Prior research links passive screen use to poorer mental health outcomes, while active engagement shows mixed effects; however, many studies overlook differences between platform design and actual user behavior, as well as the role of notifications. This study examined how screen media habits, platform design, user motivations, and notification settings relate to mental health among emerging adults. A sample of 399 participants (ages 18–29) from a large southeastern U.S. university completed a survey assessing screen use, engagement type, motivations, notifications, and symptoms of anger, anxiety, and depression. Analyses included descriptive statistics and multiple regression to test associations among key variables, as well as discrepancies between platform design and user engagement. Results indicated that passive screen media use was associated with higher levels of anger, while active use was not significantly related to mental health outcomes. Notification disruption and discrepancies between platform design and user behavior were not significantly associated with mental health. Findings suggest that the relationship between screen media use and mental health is more nuanced than commonly assumed, with specific patterns of use, rather than overall screen time or platform characteristics, playing a more limited role. Implications for digital literacy and future research are discussed.

Keywords

screen media, emerging adults, mental health, depression, anxiety, social media, platform design, user motivation, notifications

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