The Relationship between Social Media Addiction with Anxiety and Depression among Undergraduate Students in Klang Valley, Malaysia

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to assess the level of social media addiction among undergraduate students and examine its relationship with anxiety and depression in this population. The research was designed using a correlational survey model. The study group comprised 230 university students, with 158 female participants (68.7%) and 72 male participants (31.3%), all enrolled in two selected private universities in Klang Valley. Data were collected through the administration of the Demographic Information Form, Social Media Addiction Scale-Student Form (SMAS-SF), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Pearson correlation analysis was performed in SPSS to investigate the associations between students' social media addiction, anxiety, and depression. The findings revealed a positive correlation between students' social media addiction levels and their experiences of anxiety and depression. These results suggest that anxiety and depression variables significantly predict social media addiction. The implications of these findings were discussed in relation to relevant literature, and appropriate recommendations were proposed. This study's findings indicate a tendency among undergraduate university students in Klang Valley, Malaysia, towards developing social media addiction.