Would you be healthier if you had more social capital? Focusing on university students’ social media use in Japan
Abstract Background This study examined how university students’ social media use is related to their mental health (subjective well-being [SWB] and loneliness) and perceived physical health. A cognitive bias model and a social network mediation model were used to compare social capital formed via f...
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| Language: | English |
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BMC
2024-12-01
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| Series: | BMC Psychology |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-024-02278-4 |
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| author | Shaoyu Ye Kevin K. W. Ho |
| author_facet | Shaoyu Ye Kevin K. W. Ho |
| author_sort | Shaoyu Ye |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background This study examined how university students’ social media use is related to their mental health (subjective well-being [SWB] and loneliness) and perceived physical health. A cognitive bias model and a social network mediation model were used to compare social capital formed via face-to-face and online communication, considering the effects of personality traits (i.e., social skills, generalized trust, and social tolerance). Methods We conducted a self-report survey with 409 university students in Japan from August to September 2022. Four patterns of social media use were analyzed: (1) Twitter only, (2) LINE + Twitter, (3) Instagram + Twitter, and (4) Discord + Twitter. Relationships between the variables were investigated with a structural equation modeling analysis using SmartPLS 4.0. Results Overall, regardless of social media use patterns, personality traits had positive direct effects on mental health and also had positive effects on social capital via face-to-face (FTF) communication, which had mediating effects on the improvement of mental health. FTF social capital had a positive relationship with online social capital, which did not have relationships with mental or perceived physical health. Additionally, perceived physical health decreased loneliness but was not associated with SWB. Social media use negatively affected perceived physical health but had no effect on SWB or loneliness. Finally, different relationships between personality traits and social media use, FTF social capital and SWB, social media use and perceived physical health were observed among the four patterns of social media use. Conclusion This study has implications for improving the health of young adults in the “mobile x social era.” In particular, we provide suggestions to help young adults improve their mental health. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-836019322c3e4388b54c18da5c28c2eb |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2050-7283 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-12-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Psychology |
| spelling | doaj-art-836019322c3e4388b54c18da5c28c2eb2024-12-29T12:52:57ZengBMCBMC Psychology2050-72832024-12-0112111810.1186/s40359-024-02278-4Would you be healthier if you had more social capital? Focusing on university students’ social media use in JapanShaoyu Ye0Kevin K. W. Ho1Institute of Library, Information and Media Science, University of TsukubaInstitute of Business Sciences, University of TsukubaAbstract Background This study examined how university students’ social media use is related to their mental health (subjective well-being [SWB] and loneliness) and perceived physical health. A cognitive bias model and a social network mediation model were used to compare social capital formed via face-to-face and online communication, considering the effects of personality traits (i.e., social skills, generalized trust, and social tolerance). Methods We conducted a self-report survey with 409 university students in Japan from August to September 2022. Four patterns of social media use were analyzed: (1) Twitter only, (2) LINE + Twitter, (3) Instagram + Twitter, and (4) Discord + Twitter. Relationships between the variables were investigated with a structural equation modeling analysis using SmartPLS 4.0. Results Overall, regardless of social media use patterns, personality traits had positive direct effects on mental health and also had positive effects on social capital via face-to-face (FTF) communication, which had mediating effects on the improvement of mental health. FTF social capital had a positive relationship with online social capital, which did not have relationships with mental or perceived physical health. Additionally, perceived physical health decreased loneliness but was not associated with SWB. Social media use negatively affected perceived physical health but had no effect on SWB or loneliness. Finally, different relationships between personality traits and social media use, FTF social capital and SWB, social media use and perceived physical health were observed among the four patterns of social media use. Conclusion This study has implications for improving the health of young adults in the “mobile x social era.” In particular, we provide suggestions to help young adults improve their mental health.https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-024-02278-4Personality traitsSocial capitalMental healthPerceived physical healthSocial media use |
| spellingShingle | Shaoyu Ye Kevin K. W. Ho Would you be healthier if you had more social capital? Focusing on university students’ social media use in Japan BMC Psychology Personality traits Social capital Mental health Perceived physical health Social media use |
| title | Would you be healthier if you had more social capital? Focusing on university students’ social media use in Japan |
| title_full | Would you be healthier if you had more social capital? Focusing on university students’ social media use in Japan |
| title_fullStr | Would you be healthier if you had more social capital? Focusing on university students’ social media use in Japan |
| title_full_unstemmed | Would you be healthier if you had more social capital? Focusing on university students’ social media use in Japan |
| title_short | Would you be healthier if you had more social capital? Focusing on university students’ social media use in Japan |
| title_sort | would you be healthier if you had more social capital focusing on university students social media use in japan |
| topic | Personality traits Social capital Mental health Perceived physical health Social media use |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-024-02278-4 |
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