An Analytical Study on Relationship between Social Media Use, Sleep Quality and Mental Health among Youth.

Abstract

The present study investigated the triadic relationship among social media use, sleep quality, and mental health among college-going youth in Jammu, India. A total of 123 participants (aged 18–25 years) were recruited through convenience sampling from undergraduate and postgraduate colleges in Jammu district. Data were collected using three standardized instruments: the Social Media Use Questionnaire (SMUQ), the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale – 21 items (DASS-21). Descriptive statistics, independent samples t-tests, and Pearson product-moment correlation were employed to analyze the data. Results revealed that the majority of participants (87.8%) reported low to moderate social media use, while more than half (56%) demonstrated clinically significant sleep disturbances as indicated by PSQI scores above 5. Anxiety emerged as the most prevalent mental health concern, with nearly 70% of participants scoring above the normal range on the DASS-21 anxiety subscale. No statistically significant gender differences were found across any of the three primary variables. Pearson correlation analysis revealed significant positive associations among all study variables (p < .01). Sleep quality showed moderate correlations with depression (r = .489), anxiety (r = .442), and stress (r = .395). Social media use was positively associated with anxiety (r = .487), depression (r = .378), and stress (r = .374), underscoring the compounding risk posed by digital engagement on psychological well-being. These findings affirm a meaningful and clinically relevant triadic relationship among social media use, sleep quality, and mental health in Indian youth. The study highlights the urgent need for integrated intervention strategies that address digital habits, sleep hygiene, and psychological well-being simultaneously within Indian higher education settings. Implications for educational policy, student counselling services, and future research directions are discussed