Social media addiction and depression among adolescents in two Malaysian states

ABSTRACT

Addiction to social media addiction is considered a leading risk factor for depression among adolescents, but the relationship needs to be supported empirically. This study investigates the social media addiction level and its association with depression among Malaysian adolescents. A cross-sectional study was conducted by distributing a structured questionnaire to potential respondents aged 13 to 21 years old from Johor and Sarawak. Data were analysed in SPSS using descriptive statistics, correlation, and Chi-square tests. Overall, 72.0% and 33.0% of the 384 respondents recorded high levels of social media addiction and depression, respectively. A significant and low positive relationship was detected between social media addiction and depression among adolescents. The levels of social media addiction and depression differed across age groups, gender, race, and the time spent on social media platforms. These findings reflect the need to address excessive social media usage among adolescents.

KEYWORDS:

• Social media addiction
• depression
• adolescents
• mental health

Acknowledgments

The authors of this article would like to extend their utmost appreciation and gratitude to the Research Management and Innovation Centre of University Pendidikan Sultan Idris for funding the research project under the Fundamental University Research Grant (GPUF) research grant of University Pendidikan Sultan Idris, with the number: UPSI/PPPI/PYK (20200295) that has led to the production of this article. The line of authors of this article also would like to extend their gratitude and heartfelt thanks to the Research Management Centre of University Poly-Tech Malaysia for supporting resource provision the University Research Grant (URG) of University Poly-Tech Malaysia, with the number: UPTM.DVCRI.RMC.15 (63) that has also led to the production of this article.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Authors contribution

Stephanie Ann Victor: Conceptualization, data collection and analysis, and wri of the initial manuscript

Muhamad Shamsul Ibrahim: Conceptualization, supervision and revision of manuscript

Sarina Yusuf: Conceptualization, supervision, data collection and analysis, materials and resources, funding, and revision of manuscript

Faizul Nizar Bin Anuar: Supervision, materials and resources, funding, and revision of manuscript

Khairul Azam Bahari; Materials and resources, funding, and revision of manuscript

Khairulnissa Abdul Kadir; data collection and analysis, funding, and revision of manuscript

Loh Yoke Ling; data collection and analysis and revision of manuscript

Additional information

Funding

This research was funded by the Research Management and Innovation Centre of University Pendidikan Sultan Idris for funding the research project under the Fundamental University Research Grant (GPUF) research grant of University Pendidikan Sultan Idris, with number: UPSI/PPPI/PYK (20200295).