An Analysis of the Relationship Between Social Media Usage Intensity and Anxiety Levels Among University Students Using a Quantitative Approach

Abstract

The rapid development of social media has significantly influenced students' communication patterns and daily habits. While it offers ease in accessing information and interacting with others, excessive use of social media can negatively affect mental health, particularly anxiety. This study aims to analyze the relationship between social media usage intensity and anxiety levels among university students. A descriptive-correlational quantitative approach was applied using secondary data. The analysis was conducted using the Python programming language through several stages, including data cleaning, descriptive statistics, data visualization, and Pearson correlation testing. The results show a significant positive relationship between the duration of social media usage and students' anxiety levels, with a correlation coefficient of 0.52 and a p-value of 0.003. These findings indicate that the more time students spend on social media, the higher their reported anxiety levels. This study is expected to serve as a basis for promoting digital literacy and raising awareness of the importance of mental health among university students.