ASSOCIATION OF PROBLEM USE OF SOCIAL NETWORKS WITH MOOD DISORDERS IN MEDICAL UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

Abstract

The addictive potential of social media is well known. However, data on the impact of social media on mental health are contradictory. Some studies report the benefits of using social media for mental health. In turn, data from other studies have shown that widespread use of social networks has been associated with a number of psychological and mental health problems, such as depression, anxiety, psychological stress, especially in young people.
 The purpose of the study. To study the association of problematic use of social networks with anxiety indicators on the HADS scale among medical university students
 Materials and methods. The study included 229 students of both sexes enrolled in the 3rd year of the medical faculty of the Medical University. The analysis of the problematic use of social networks was carried out using the Russian version of the questionnaire «The Social Media Disorder Scale». The identification and assessment of the severity of anxiety disorders was carried out using the Russian version of the hospital scale of anxiety and depression HADS.
 Results. It was found, that the frequency of problematic use of social networks in the general group of surveyed students studying at a medical university was 9,6%. The presence of signs of anxiety was detected in 34,9% of the surveyed students. The frequency of problematic use of social networks among people with signs of anxiety was 59,1%. Among the examined girls the number of people with signs of anxiety with problematic use of social networks was twice as large as compared to patients without problematic use of social networks.
 Conclusion. Associations of problematic use of social networks with indicators of anxiety on the HADS scale among students at a medical university were revealed.