The Impact of Social Media on Mental Health in Young Adults: A Study of Instagram Use and Depression Symptoms

The study explored the correlation between Instagram usage and depressive symptoms in 300 young adults. 300 young adults aged 18-25 from universities in Lahore, Karachi, and Islamabad, Pakistan. Using the Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale adapted for Instagram and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), data were gathered in over three months. The study found that the time spent on Instagram was correlated with more depressive symptoms (r = 0.56, p < 0.001). The multiple regression analysis revealed that daily usage hours (β = 0.42, p < 0.001), Social comparison (β = 0.38, p < 0.001), and passive scrolling (β = 0.29, p < 0.01) were predictors of depressive symptoms. 41.3% of respondents had moderate to severe depressive symptoms, and 68% of respondents had Instagram usage of more than 3 hours a day. The study found that the problematic, excessive using, and social comparison fueled depressive symptoms for young adults in Pakistan. Digital literacy initiative and mental health awareness programming will help prepositional social media usage in the university student population in Pakistan.