The relationship of social media usage with depression and social anxiety level in adults

The aim of this research is to examine the relationship of social media usage with depression and social anxiety levels in adults. Basically, the concepts of social media, depression and social anxiety are examined in the study. This research has a cross-sectional design and was conducted according to the relational screening model. The sample of the study consists of 340 people, 104 (30.6%) men and 236 (69.4%) women, between the ages of 20-65. In the research Personal Information Form prepared by the researcher, Social Media Addiction Adult Form (SMBÖ-YF) (Şahin ve Yağcı, 2017), Beck Depression Inventory (Hisli, 1989), Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (Dilbaz ve Guz, 2001) were used as data collection tools. A significant relationship has been found between social media addiction and depression scores (p<0,01 ; r=0,387). A significant relationship has been found between social media addiction and social anxiety scores (p<0,01 ; r=0,347). A significant relationship has been found between depression and social anxiety scores (p<0,01 ; r=0,456). A statistically significant relationship has not been found between the participants' ages and social anxiety levels. According to gender variable and employment status, a significant relationship has not been found between social media addiction, depression and social anxiety levels. The social media addiction and depression scores of married participants have been found significantly low compared with single and divorced participants. A significant difference has been found between social media addiction and social anxiety levels with the time spending on social networks. It is seen that social media addiction rates increase as the time spent on social networks increases.