Abstract
This study aims explore the relationship between social media use and Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) among students. A sample of 76 participants aged 18 to 25 was assessed using two standardized tools: the Hamilton Anxiety Scale, which measures the severity of anxiety, and the Social Media Addiction Scale (SMAS), designed to quantify the extent of social media dependency. Data analysis revealed a Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.330, with a p-value of 0.004, indicating a moderate positive correlation between social media addiction and anxiety. These findings suggest that higher levels of social media addiction are significantly associated with increased anxiety symptoms. The results imply that students who exhibit addictive behaviours related to social media are more likely to experience anxiety, potentially due to factors such as constant connectivity, social comparison, and fear of missing out (FOMO). Given the moderate correlation, this study underscores the importance of addressing excessive social media use as a factor in mental health interventions. The findings call for the development of strategies that can help students manage their social media habits and reduce the psychological distress associated with its overuse. Future research could further investigate the causality of this relationship and examine additional variables, such as self-esteem, emotional regulation, or sleep patterns, that may mediate the link between social media addiction and anxiety. Keywords: Social Media Use, Generalized Anxiety Disorder
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