scholarly journals “I Don’t Feel Like the Odd One”: Utilizing Content Analysis to Compare the Effects of Social Media Use on Well-Being Among Sexual Minority and Nonminority US Young Adults

2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. 285-293 ◽  
Author(s):  
César Escobar-Viera ◽  
Ariel Shensa ◽  
Megan Hamm ◽  
Eleanna M. Melcher ◽  
Daniel I. Rzewnicki ◽  
...  

Purpose: Although there is evidence of associations between social media (SM) use and mental well-being among the general population, these associations among lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) persons are poorly understood. This study compared the influence of SM experiences on mental well-being between LGB and non-LGB persons. Design and Setting: Online cross-sectional survey. Participants: National sample of 2408 US adults aged 18 to 30 years. Method: We asked participants to provide examples of when SM affected their well-being separately in good and bad ways. We coded, summed, and used rate ratios (RRs) to compare responses of LGB and non-LGB individuals. Thematically similar codes were described and grouped into categories. Results: Most responses described positive SM effects. However, of 6 codes that were significantly more frequent among LGB respondents, only social capital (RR = 1.58, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.17-2.12) described a positive effect. Five codes described negative effects of SM for LGB users: negative emotional contagion (RR = 1.28, 95% CI, 1.04-1.58), comparison with others (RR = 1.28, 95% CI, 1.01-1.62), real-life repercussions (RR = 1.86, 95% CI, 1.18-2.94), envy (RR = 2.49, 95% CI, 1.48-4.19), and need for profile management (RR = 2.32, 95% CI, 1.07-5.03). Conclusion: These findings suggest that, for LGB persons, gaining social capital from SM is valuable for establishing and maintaining connections. Increased negative SM experiences may pose a risk for the mental well-being of LGB individuals.

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-40
Author(s):  
Sundus Riaz Paracha

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND AND AIMS A selfie is referred to a photograph that one has taken of oneself, typically from a smartphone or webcam, often shared on social media websites. Recent studies suggested that selfie addiction negatively affects the mental and social health of individuals. The American Psychiatric Association confirmed obsessive selfie-taking as a mental disorder. Therefore, this study aims to explore the association between selfie syndrome and mental well-being among academic professionals of Karachi. METHODOLOGY The cross-sectional survey was conducted on academic professionals, selected through the non-probability sampling technique. The data was collected through Selfitis Behavioural Scale and Warwick Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale. RESULTS A total number of 100 participants were included in the study with a mean age of 29±10.8 years. The findings showed that 42% to 45% of the selected sample showed severe to moderate selfitis behaviour while 13% had mild selfitis behaviour with no significant association with mental well-being. CONCLUSION It was concluded that the majority of individuals were suffering from moderate to severe selfitis behaviour with no significant association with mental well-being. Further studies are suggested to identify how selfitis behavior influences the mental well-being of different age-groups in Pakistan.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mezna A. AlMarzooqi

Background: Social media became an integral part of the lives of people because it encourages social relations and shares interests, activities, and real-life connections. As quarantine and lockdown orders are prolonged, many people, as well as those physically active individuals, typically responded to this stressful condition by using social media platforms.Objective: This study aimed to examine the level of physical activity of physically active individuals and their attitudes toward social media use during the COVID-19 pandemic.Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted among physically active individuals in Saudi Arabia between June 2020 and July 2020. An online survey was employed among eligible participants who completed a self-administered questionnaire that covered reasons for physical activity and attitudes toward social media platforms during the COVID-19 pandemic.Results: Of these 323 participants, 29.1% were in the age group of 18–24 years, 66.6% were women, and 67.8% were single. The proportion of participants whose metabolic equivalent of tasks-min/week from vigorous activity <1,680 was 31.9%, and all of the participants follow people or pages in social media related to sports teams and fitness models. The average number of hours spent on social media per day was 2.95 ± 0.90 h. The majority of the participants showed positive attitudes toward social media used for exercise and physical activity. Of the eight variables, age, level of physical activity, and the average of hours spent on social media emerged as significant predictors of attitudes toward the use of social media (P < 0.05).Conclusions: The present survey results indicate adverse consequences of home quarantine as reflected by a small proportion of participants who had differences in levels of vigorous activities during the COVID-19 pandemic in Saudi Arabia. Social media appears to be a key avenue to promote and disseminate health interventions to promote physical activity during this COVID-19 pandemic.


Author(s):  
Minet Schindehutte ◽  
Michael Morris ◽  
Jeffrey Allen

Attempts to understand the heterogeneous nature of the population of entrepreneurs are relatively few in number, and focus largely on gender, race, ethnicity, age and educational differences. The experiences of many other key cohorts have been ignored, including those of gay, lesbian and bisexual (GLB) individuals. This paper examines the concept of ‘gay identity’ within an entrepreneurial context, and investigates underlying patterns in the structure of the GLB entrepreneurial community. Results are reported of a cross-sectional survey targeted at a sample of GLB entrepreneurs. The study represents the first national sample of these entrepreneurs. Overall trends are identified in the motives, attitudes, perceptions and management practices of GLB entrepreneurs. Cluster analysis is then employed to identify and characterize two distinct subgroups of GLB entrepreneurs, labelled ‘identifiers’ and ‘independents’. A number of theoretical and managerial implications are drawn from the findings.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Diaz Hernandez ◽  
Stéphanie Giezendanner ◽  
Roland Fischer ◽  
Andreas Zeller

Abstract Background In addition to the threat of the COVID-19 pandemic to physical health, mental health is challenged by the emotional response to the situation and the official measures taken to stop the pandemic. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of impaired mental well-being due to COVID-19 and explore associated factors. Methods The study was an observational, population-based, nationwide, cross-sectional online survey of a representative sample of the general Swiss population performed between March and April 2020. Participants reported on mental well-being, self-isolation/quarantine, their risk for developing severe COVID-19, and their work situation. Multivariable logistic regression analyses assessed risk factors for impaired mental well-being due to the pandemic. Results Data from 1022 individuals were analysed. The median age was 44 years (range 18 to 78) and 49% were women. A third of respondents reported that the COVID-19 pandemic impaired their mental well-being and almost half reported specific mental health concerns. Impaired mental well-being was associated with having health problems (OR = 1.88, 95% CI: 1.29–2.74, vs no problems), being or living with someone at risk for severe COVID-19 (OR = 1.38, 95% CI: 1–1.9,), smoking (OR = 1.8, 95% CI: 1.24–2.61), living in urban residential environments (OR = 1.62, 95% CI: 1.13–2.32, vs rural), not being able to work due to closed workplace (OR = 1.66, 95% CI: 1.04–2.67), aged between 18 and 29 years old (OR = 1.99, 95% CI: 1.32–3.01, vs 45 to 59 years old), and living in a single household (living with someone, OR = 0.65, 95% CI: 0.44–0.97,vs single household). Overall, the most significant covariates of impaired mental well-being were specific mental health concerns: feeling depressed (OR = 7.21, 95% CI: 4.5–11.55), feeling less pleasure in doing things than before (OR = 6.28, 95% CI: 4.1–9.62), feeling anxious (OR = 6.13, 95% CI: 3.91–9.59) and feeling lonely (OR = 4.08, 95% CI: 2.53–6.58). Conclusion Impaired mental well-being can carry long-term consequences. We encourage policymakers to implement strategies to promote mental health during this pandemic situation. Special attention should be addressed to the youngest, those at risk for severe COVID-19 and those with government-imposed work restrictions.


2007 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 486-492 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sayeda Z Noor ◽  
Emily K Rousham

AbstractObjectivesTo explore the relationship between infant feeding and maternal mental well-being among women of Bangladeshi and Pakistani ethnicity; and to explore the sources of advice, information and support available to women before and after childbirth.DesignA cross-sectional survey of infant feeding and maternal well-being via structured interviews conducted in the home.SettingHome visits within two inner-city wards of Newcastle upon Tyne.SubjectsEighty-six women of South Asian ethnicity.ResultsEnjoyment of everyday activities was higher among women who breast-fed only (P = 0.028); whereas feeling sad or crying during pregnancy was lower among breast-feeding women (P = 0.005), as was not sleeping well (P = 0.003) and feeling that everything was too much (P = 0.039), compared with women who used formula or mixed feeding. Women who breast-fed only had better mean mood scores than those who formula-fed or those who both breast-fed and formula-fed (P < 0.001). Mean mood responses were also significantly associated with the mother’s level of understanding of English and number of years in education (P = 0.005 and P = 0.003, respectively). The association between method of feeding and maternal mood remained strong after controlling for the effects of English language and maternal education.ConclusionsThe study suggests that breast-feeding may be an important mediator of maternal mental well-being after childbirth. Community-based programmes tailored to the needs of Bangladeshi and Pakistani women which support breast-feeding and encourage exclusive breast-feeding may be of benefit.


2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 30-35
Author(s):  
Wajeeha Shakeel

BACKGROUND AND AIMS Bullying is a persistent pattern of mistreatment that has been common worldwide with relatively high magnitude in schools and workplace. The adverse effects of bullying may lead to decreased social functioning, poor clinical performance and attendance ultimately low standardized results among medical trainees. Therefore this study aims to investigate the rate of bullying in medical trainees in order to analyze the adverse consequences affecting their health and well-being. METHODOLOGY The cross-sectional survey was conducted on medical trainees/house officers of MBBS and BDS who had completed at least 6 months of training in primary or tertiary care hospitals, recruited through the non-probability sampling technique. The data was collected through self-administered questionnaire. RESULTS A total of 70 participants filled the questionnaires including 8 males and 62 females. It was concluded that 70% participants faced bullying and 21.4% to 30% reported moderate to severe distress. CONCLUSION It was concluded that majority of medical trainees bullied during training while majority fails to report the issue. The act bullying or harassment was performed by senior staff and outsiders that lead to severe distress among students therefore crucial steps should be taken to address the situation for better physical and mental well-being. KEYWORDS Mental Well-Being, Physical Condition, Bullying, Trainee, Harassment.


2020 ◽  
Vol 37 (09) ◽  
pp. 890-897
Author(s):  
Ilina D. Pluym ◽  
Bettina Paek ◽  
Martin Walker ◽  
Hui Liu ◽  
Lorna Kwan ◽  
...  

Abstract Objective This study aims to evaluate the utility of social media to distribute a patient survey on differences in management and outcomes of monochorionic–diamniotic (MCDA) pregnancies. Study Design A cross-sectional survey was posted to an English-language MCDA twins patient-centered support group within the social media site, Facebook from April 2, 2018 to June 26, 2018. Subjects were recruited through a technique called “snowballing,” whereby individuals shared the survey to assist with recruiting. Patient reported data were analyzed using Chi-square and Kruskal–Wallis's tests to explore characteristics associated with surveillance and outcomes as related to region and provider type. Results Over 3 months, the post “reached” 14,288 Facebook users, among which 5,653 (40%) clicked on the post. A total of 2,357 respondents with MCDA pregnancies completed the survey. Total 1,928 (82%) were from the United States (US) and 419 (18%) from other countries. Total 85% of patients had co-management with maternal–fetal medicine (MFM), more in the US compared with the rest of the world (87 vs. 74%, p < 0.01). MFM involvement led to increased adherence to biweekly ultrasounds (91 vs. 65%, p < 0.01), diagnosis of monochorionicity by 12 weeks (74 vs. 69%, p < 0.01) and better education about twin–twin transfusion syndrome (90 vs. 66%, p < 0.01). Pregnancies with MFM involvement had a higher take-home baby rate for both babies (92 vs. 89%, p < 0.01) or for at least one baby (98 vs. 93%, p < 0.01) compared with those without MFM involvement. Conclusion A survey distributed via social media can be effective in evaluating real-life management and outcomes of an uncommon obstetrical diagnosis. This survey elucidates wide international variation in adherence to guidelines, management, and outcomes.


2020 ◽  
pp. jech-2020-215188
Author(s):  
Christopher W N Saville

BackgroundSocial capital may be a social good in health terms, but it is not necessarily a universal good. Several studies have shown that while there is a positive association between ecological social capital and health in people with high individual-level social capital, this relationship is weaker or even reversed in those with low individual-level social capital. Such studies, however, have used relatively coarse levels of geography for quantifying ecological social capital. The present study looks at this relationship at a more fine-grained spatial scale.MethodsData from the National Survey for Wales (n=27 828, weighted mean age=48.4) were linked to previously published small-area estimates (n=410) of ecological social capital for Wales. Mixed effects models were then used to assess whether the relationship between mental well-being and self-reported health on one hand, and ecological social capital (sense of belonging) on the other, was moderated by individual-level social capital.ResultsThe models found the same moderation of the relationship that has been demonstrated previously: Although ecological social capital is positively associated with health in respondents with high individual-level social capital, the relationship is negative in those with low individual-level social capital.ConclusionThis study replicates this association at a spatial scale orders of magnitude more fine-grained than had been shown previously. Ecological social capital is not an unambiguously positive factor for public health, and may be a risk factor for marginalised people.


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