Does social media usage ameliorate loneliness in rural youth? A cross sectional pilot study.

ABSTRACT:

Aim

To investigate the relationship between social media use and loneliness and psychological wellbeing of youth in rural New South Wales.

Design

This was a web-based cross-sectional survey.

Methods

The survey consisted of 33 items including demography (12 items), participants' social media use (9 items), mood and anxiety (6 items), perceived loneliness (6 items), the impact of COVID-19 on social media usage or perceived loneliness (2 items). The participants' mood and anxiety were evaluated using the psychological distress tool (K6), while loneliness was measured using the De Jong Gierveld 6-item scale. Total loneliness and psychological distress scores were compared between demographic variables.

Results

A total of 47 participants, aged 16-24 years took part

SUBMITTER: Gregory L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10214363 | biostudies-literature | 2023 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature