Social media and stress : A quantitative study of social media habits and stress in an adult population

Abstract: Background: Sick leave has increased in Sweden and a common cause is diagnoses related to stress, it is a major problem and a predictor for long term sickness. Stress affects both the individual as well as the society. Social media usage decreases with time and previous research has shown an association with both positive and negative outcomes. Aim: The aim of the present thesis was to evaluate social media usage in association with stress, and whether there are gender differences in such associations. Moreover, if addictive tendencies on social media are associated with stress, and whether the determinants for intention affect social media usage.   Method: A quantitative method with a cross sectional design was used. The data was collected through a random selection and included 300 participants, of which 49,3 % were women and 50,7 % men.   Result: Social media usage were associated with perceived stress levels among both men and women, the strongest association was found among women. Addictive tendencies of social media usage were associated with an increased probability of perceived stress. Attitudes and self-control were associated with an increased probability of addictive tendencies of social media usage, whereas subjective norms were not associated with addictive tendencies of social media usage.   Conclusions: Associations between social media usage and perceived stress levels existed, increased social media usage indicated increased levels of perceived stress, such association was also found depending on gender, and women seemed to be more vulnerable. Individuals with addictive tendencies of social media usage had an increased probability to perceived stress, and an association was found between likes, more than five memberships on social media, and addictive tendencies of social media usage.