A RELAÇÃO ENTRE O USO DE MÍDIAS SOCIAIS E OS SINTOMAS DA ANSIEDADE: percepção dos estudantes universitários

Abstract

The use of social media is increasingly present in everyday life, as well as an increase in the level of anxiety. In this context, the present study aimed to analyze the relationship between the use of social media and anxiety symptoms in university students. A field survey was carried out with 148 university students of both sexes, with an average age of 25 years (SD: 9), from colleges located in the greater João Pessoa-PB. Data were collected through a sociodemographic questionnaire, the multidimensional Scale based on the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) and the Greenberger Anxiety Inventory, being analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The results showed that most participants accessed social media daily, felt satisfied and reported having control over the frequency of use of these media, while exhibiting mild levels of anxiety. Signs and symptoms of anxiety were higher with statistical significance (p < 0.05) in participants who reported harmful effects of social media, who felt silly and needed to use them immediately. It is concluded that the use of social media can have different psychological and social impacts on the quality of life of young university students.