Social media usage and students’ social anxiety, loneliness and well-being: does digital mindfulness-based intervention effectively work?

Abstract Background The increasing integration of digital technologies into daily life has spurred a growing body of research in the field of digital psychology. This research has shed light on the potential benefits and drawbacks of digital technologies for mental health and well-being. However, th...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Li Sun
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2023-10-01
Series:BMC Psychology
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-023-01398-7
_version_ 1797636646002229248
author Li Sun
author_facet Li Sun
author_sort Li Sun
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background The increasing integration of digital technologies into daily life has spurred a growing body of research in the field of digital psychology. This research has shed light on the potential benefits and drawbacks of digital technologies for mental health and well-being. However, the intricate relationship between technology and psychology remains largely unexplored. Purpose This study aimed to investigate the impact of mindfulness-based mobile apps on university students' anxiety, loneliness, and well-being. Additionally, it sought to explore participants' perceptions of the addictiveness of these apps. Method The research utilized a multi-phase approach, encompassing a correlational research method, a pretest–posttest randomized controlled trial, and a qualitative case study. Participants were segmented into three subsets: correlations (n = 300), treatment (n = 60), and qualitative (n = 20). Data were gathered from various sources, including the social anxiety scale, well-being scale, social media use integration scale, and an interview checklist. Quantitative data was analyzed using Pearson correlation, multiple regression, and t-tests, while qualitative data underwent thematic analysis. Results The study uncovered a significant correlation between social media use and the variables under investigation. Moreover, the treatment involving mindfulness-based mobile apps led to a reduction in students' anxiety and an enhancement of their well-being. Notably, participants held various positive perceptions regarding the use of these apps. Implications The findings of this research hold both theoretical and practical significance for the field of digital psychology. They provide insight into the potential of mindfulness-based mobile apps to positively impact university students' mental health and well-being. Additionally, the study underscores the need for further exploration of the intricate dynamics between technology and psychology in an increasingly digital world.
first_indexed 2024-03-11T12:37:02Z
format Article
id doaj.art-d2a9b69c89694c699c91f40d087a4346
institution Directory Open Access Journal
issn 2050-7283
language English
last_indexed 2024-03-11T12:37:02Z
publishDate 2023-10-01
publisher BMC
record_format Article
series BMC Psychology
spelling doaj.art-d2a9b69c89694c699c91f40d087a43462023-11-05T12:32:46ZengBMCBMC Psychology2050-72832023-10-0111111210.1186/s40359-023-01398-7Social media usage and students’ social anxiety, loneliness and well-being: does digital mindfulness-based intervention effectively work?Li Sun0School of Marxism, Zhoukou Vocational and Technical CollegeAbstract Background The increasing integration of digital technologies into daily life has spurred a growing body of research in the field of digital psychology. This research has shed light on the potential benefits and drawbacks of digital technologies for mental health and well-being. However, the intricate relationship between technology and psychology remains largely unexplored. Purpose This study aimed to investigate the impact of mindfulness-based mobile apps on university students' anxiety, loneliness, and well-being. Additionally, it sought to explore participants' perceptions of the addictiveness of these apps. Method The research utilized a multi-phase approach, encompassing a correlational research method, a pretest–posttest randomized controlled trial, and a qualitative case study. Participants were segmented into three subsets: correlations (n = 300), treatment (n = 60), and qualitative (n = 20). Data were gathered from various sources, including the social anxiety scale, well-being scale, social media use integration scale, and an interview checklist. Quantitative data was analyzed using Pearson correlation, multiple regression, and t-tests, while qualitative data underwent thematic analysis. Results The study uncovered a significant correlation between social media use and the variables under investigation. Moreover, the treatment involving mindfulness-based mobile apps led to a reduction in students' anxiety and an enhancement of their well-being. Notably, participants held various positive perceptions regarding the use of these apps. Implications The findings of this research hold both theoretical and practical significance for the field of digital psychology. They provide insight into the potential of mindfulness-based mobile apps to positively impact university students' mental health and well-being. Additionally, the study underscores the need for further exploration of the intricate dynamics between technology and psychology in an increasingly digital world.https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-023-01398-7MindfulnessMobil appsSocial anxietySocial media usageWell-being
spellingShingle Li Sun
Social media usage and students’ social anxiety, loneliness and well-being: does digital mindfulness-based intervention effectively work?
BMC Psychology
Mindfulness
Mobil apps
Social anxiety
Social media usage
Well-being
title Social media usage and students’ social anxiety, loneliness and well-being: does digital mindfulness-based intervention effectively work?
title_full Social media usage and students’ social anxiety, loneliness and well-being: does digital mindfulness-based intervention effectively work?
title_fullStr Social media usage and students’ social anxiety, loneliness and well-being: does digital mindfulness-based intervention effectively work?
title_full_unstemmed Social media usage and students’ social anxiety, loneliness and well-being: does digital mindfulness-based intervention effectively work?
title_short Social media usage and students’ social anxiety, loneliness and well-being: does digital mindfulness-based intervention effectively work?
title_sort social media usage and students social anxiety loneliness and well being does digital mindfulness based intervention effectively work
topic Mindfulness
Mobil apps
Social anxiety
Social media usage
Well-being
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-023-01398-7
work_keys_str_mv AT lisun socialmediausageandstudentssocialanxietylonelinessandwellbeingdoesdigitalmindfulnessbasedinterventioneffectivelywork