Abstract
The purpose of this research project is to determine if there is a correlation between social media usage and its effects on a person’s well-being. Two hypotheses have been created to test this correlation. The first hypothesis being that there is a negative correlation between frequency of social media usage and its effects on a person’s well-being, and secondly that there is a negative correlation between duration of social media usage and a person’s well-being. Study findings, as related to the first hypotheses, frequency of use and the effects on a person’s well-being, were confirmed and shown as weak and statistically significant (r = -.269, p < .05). This finding confirms that there is a negative correlation between frequency and the effects on a person’s well-being. Results related to the second hypothesis, duration of use and a person’s well-being, were also confirmed and shown to be slightly weak and statistically significant (r = -.362, p < .01). The secondary finding confirms that there is also a negative correlation between duration of social media usage and a person’s well-being. With statistical significance confirmed, researchers found that there was a correlation between duration and frequency of usage of social media and a person’s well-being. Implications for social work were also included within this project. Findings in this area were related to respondent’s opinions/beliefs about several domains. These domains included ageism, sexism, racism, isolation, and internet addiction. In all domains, with the exception of ageism, respondents believe that social media has led to an increase in the areas mentioned above. This information will allow those in the social work field to develop and implement programs, education, and interventions to address those specific societal issues. There are also specific mental health concerns that can be addressed as related to social media usage and a person’s well-being. An example of this is social media’s effect on how an individual feels about themselves. Social workers can create interventions to assist clients when issues of self-esteem, anxiety, and/or depression are present. The goal of this study was to confirm a negative correlation, which was accomplished. The secondary goal was to determine if there were implications within the social work field. The researchers feel that goal was accomplished as well. The study’s findings, literature reviewed, implications for social work, and recommendations based on said findings are available within this project.