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Date of Award
Spring 2022
Degree Name
Master of Medical Science (Physician Assistant)
Department
Physician Assistant; College of Health Sciences
First Advisor
Elizabeth Masten PA-C
Abstract
Social media (SM) use has increased due to the growing technological advancements and accessibility. Today, 72% of Americans use some form of SM.1 However, SM may have detrimental effects on mental health in adolescents and young adults, which are exacerbated by social comparison and exposure to thin-ideal SM images4,5. Given that more individuals are using SM, it is now increasingly important that healthcare providers assess risk factors of mental illnesses to provide early intervention to patients. This article reviews how social media affects mental health and provide recommendations on screening patients for mental illness. The purpose of this study is to aid in early diagnosis of mental illnesses, to provide resources to patients and prevent the development/progression of mental illness. There is a need for a formal protocol in screening social media use as a risk factor for mental illness as there is no widely used assessment form that includes these risk factors in a clinical setting.
Recommended Citation
Merluza, Hazel, "Social Media use as a factor for mental illnesses in adolescents and young adults – Advantages in screening for SMU in a clinical setting." (2022). Capstone Showcase. 36.
https://scholarworks.arcadia.edu/showcase/2022/pa/36
Social Media use as a factor for mental illnesses in adolescents and young adults – Advantages in screening for SMU in a clinical setting.
Social media (SM) use has increased due to the growing technological advancements and accessibility. Today, 72% of Americans use some form of SM.1 However, SM may have detrimental effects on mental health in adolescents and young adults, which are exacerbated by social comparison and exposure to thin-ideal SM images4,5. Given that more individuals are using SM, it is now increasingly important that healthcare providers assess risk factors of mental illnesses to provide early intervention to patients. This article reviews how social media affects mental health and provide recommendations on screening patients for mental illness. The purpose of this study is to aid in early diagnosis of mental illnesses, to provide resources to patients and prevent the development/progression of mental illness. There is a need for a formal protocol in screening social media use as a risk factor for mental illness as there is no widely used assessment form that includes these risk factors in a clinical setting.