CHAPTER V

Discussion, summary, conclusion,

implications and recommendations

A descriptive study was carried out to assess the impact of social media usage on mental
health among young adults of selected urban area at Ankuli , Berhampur , [Link]
study was conducted during the period of _____________. The data were collected from
young adults using a purposive sampling technique with the help of a structured
questionnaire.

The collected data were tabulated, organized, and analysed using descriptive and
inferential statistics. The findings were presented in the form of tables and figures
according to the objectives of the study, as discussed in Chapter IV.

DISCUSSION:
“The discussion section interprets the findings of the study, explains their meaning,
and examines their implications in relation to the study objectives and existing
literature.”

• Polit & Beck (2017)

This chapter deals with the discussion of the findings of the present study based on the
objectives. The findings are discussed under the following sub-headings:

1. Description of demographic variables of young adults.

2. Description of the extent of social media usage among young adults.
3. Description of the association between mental health among young adults with
demographic variables and type of social media used.
4. Description of coping strategies adopted by young adults to manage mental
health issues related to social media usage.
Description of demographic characteristics of the participants
Percentage wise distribution of participants according to their age group shows that the
highest percentage (45%) were between the age group of 21–25 years, while 35% were
between 26–30 years, and the lowest percentage (20%) were between 18–20 years. It
reveals that the majority of the participants were in the 21–25 years age category.

Regarding gender, 52.5% of the participants were female and 47.5% were male.

Percentage wise distribution of participants according to their educational status shows

that the highest percentage (40%) were graduates, followed by 25% who were
postgraduates and 20% at the higher secondary level. The lowest percentage (15%) had a
high school education.

Regarding occupational status, a majority (60%) were students, while 25% were
employed, 10% were self-employed, and only 5% were unemployed.

Percentage wise distribution of participants according to family type shows that 65% of
participants belonged to a nuclear family, whereas 35% belonged to a joint family.

Regarding the device type, the highest percentage (45%) used a smartphone, 25% used
multiple devices, 17.5% used a laptop, and the lowest percentage (12.5%) used a tablet.
It reveals that smartphones are the primary device used by participants.

Percentage wise distribution of participants according to social media usage habits shows
that regarding the duration per day, the highest percentage (35%) used it for 2–3 hours,
while 30% used it for 1–2 hours, 20% for more than 3 hours, and 15% for less than 1 hour.

Regarding the purpose of use, the highest percentage (35%) cited communication,
followed by entertainment (30%), education (20%), and information/news (15%).

Finally, regarding duration of usage in years, the highest percentage (35%) had been
using social media for 3–5 years, followed by 27.5% for 1–3 years, 25% for more than 5
years, and 12.5% for less than 1 year. It reveals that most participants are long-term
users who utilize social media primarily for communication.

Description of domain wise mean scores of Social Media Usage

Pattern
Area wise distribution of mean scores shows that the highest mean score 3.20 (SD 0.72)
was for the area of Years of social media usage, followed by Change in usage over the
last year 3.15 (SD 0.78). The lowest mean score 2.60 (SD 0.91) was of the total scores for
the area of Frequency of posting content. It reveals that the participants have a long-term
history of social media engagement.

In the area of daily engagement, the mean score was 3.10 (SD 0.76) for Preferred social
media platform, while for Purpose of social media use, the mean score was 3.05 (SD
0.81). It reveals that participants have clear preferences and specific purposes for their
social media engagement.

Overall mean score 29.55 (SD 4.12) of total scores shows a significant pattern of social
media usage among the participants, which reveals a high level of daily digital
interaction.

Description of association between mental health status among

young adults with demographic variables and type of social
media used
The association between mental health status and selected demographic variables was
analyzed using the Chi-square test at 0.05 level of significance. The findings revealed that
there was a statistically significant association between mental health status and
educational status, duration of social media use in years, duration of social media use per
day, purpose of social media use, and preferred social media platform. This indicates that
these variables have a meaningful influence on the mental health status of young adults.
However, no significant association was found between mental health status and age,
gender, occupational status, type of family, and type of device used, showing that these
variables did not have a statistically measurable relationship with mental health status in
the present study.

Further, the association between mental health status and type of social media used was
also analyzed. The findings revealed that there was a statistically significant association
between mental health status and certain types of social media used, particularly
Instagram and Snapchat. However, no significant association was found with WhatsApp,
YouTube, Facebook, and other social media platforms. This suggests that specific
platforms may have a stronger influence on the mental health of young adults compared to
others.

Description of domain wise mean scores of Coping Strategies

Area wise distribution of mean scores shows that the highest mean score 3.10 (SD 0.76)
was for the area of Engaging in hobbies, followed by Unfollowing negative content 3.05
(SD 0.79). The lowest mean score 2.40 (SD 0.95) was of the total scores for the area of
Seeking professional help. It reveals that Seeking professional help has the lowest mean
score among all strategies, indicating that participants are least likely to use professional
assistance as a way to cope with social media usage.

In the area of digital boundaries, the mean score was 2.95 (SD 0.84) for Taking breaks
from social media, while for Avoiding negative online content, the mean score was 2.90
(SD 0.85). It reveals that while participants actively attempt to manage their own digital
environments.

Overall mean score 28.15 (SD 4.35) of total scores shows the general level of coping
strategies utilized by the participants. It reveals that although the overall coping level is
moderate, the reliance on professional support remains notably the weakest area of
intervention.

SUMMARY:
A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out to assess the social media usage
patterns and coping strategies among participants. The collected data were analyzed by
using descriptive and inferential statistics. The findings were summarized as follows:

1. Highest percentage (45%) of participants were between the age group of 21–25
years.
2. Highest percentage (52.5%) of participants were female.
3. Highest percentage (40%) of participants had a graduate level of education.
4. Highest percentage (60%) of participants were students by occupation.
5. Highest percentage (65%) of participants belonged to a nuclear family.
6. Highest percentage (45%) of participants used a smartphone as their primary
device.
7. Highest percentage (35%) of participants used social media for 2–3 hours per day.
8. Highest percentage (35%) of participants used social media primarily for
communication.
9. Highest percentage (35%) of participants had a duration of social media usage
between 3–5 years.
10. The highest mean score for social media usage was in the area of Years of social
media usage 3.20 (SD 0.72).
 11. A statistically significant association was found between mental health status and
educational status (χ² = 6.88) at 0.05 level of significance.
12. A statistically significant association was observed between mental health status
and duration of social media usage in years (χ² = 8.94).
13. A statistically significant association was found between mental health status and
duration of social media usage per day (χ² = 11.26).
14. A statistically significant association was identified between mental health status
and purpose of social media use (χ² = 7.48).
15. A statistically significant association was found between mental health status and
preferred social media platform (χ² = 9.72).
16. Among the types of social media used, a statistically significant association was
observed with Instagram (χ² = 6.52) and Snapchat (χ² = 4.97).
17. No statistically significant association was found between mental health status and
age (χ² = 4.62), gender (χ² = 1.84), occupational status (χ² = 3.92), type of family (χ² =
2.76), type of device used (χ² = 1.63), WhatsApp (χ² = 2.48), YouTube (χ² = 1.96),
Facebook (χ² = 0.88), and other social media platforms (χ² = 0.64) at 0.05 level of
significance.
18. The highest mean score for coping strategies was in the area of Engaging in hobbies
3.10 (SD 0.76).

CONCLUSION:
From the findings, it can be concluded that social media usage significantly influences the
mental health of young adults. While social media serves as an essential platform for
communication and information, its excessive and uncontrolled use can negatively affect
emotional and psychological well-being. Hence, awareness regarding balanced social
media usage is essential.

IMPLICATIONS:
Nursing Practice:

.Nurses should identify young adults at risk of mental health problems related to excessive
social media usage and provide appropriate counseling and guidance.

Nursing Education:

.The findings emphasize the need to include content related to social media usage and
mental health in nursing education curricula.
Nursing Administration:

.Nursing administrators can plan awareness programs, workshops, and mental health
promotion activities focusing on healthy digital habits.

Nursing Research:

.The study provides baseline data for future research and encourages further studies on
social media and mental health.

LIMITATIONS:
• The study was limited to a selected urban area of Ankuli.
• The sample size was limited.

RECOMMENDATIONS:
• Awareness programs should be conducted to educate young adults regarding the
effects of social media usage.
• Counseling services should be strengthened for young adults experiencing stress
and anxiety related to social media.
• Time management and digital detox strategies should be promoted.
• Parents, teachers, and healthcare professionals should encourage balanced social
media use.

SUMMARY :
This chapter deals with the discussion, summary, conclusion, implications of the
study and recommendations for future studies.