Facebook addiction and its related factors among medical students; a cross- sectional study in Bangladesh

Abstract

There is mounting evidence that Facebook Addiction is associated with poor mental health, physical symptoms, social dysfunction, and despair among the adolescent and youth population. The current study set out to identify the prevalence of Facebook Addiction among Bangladeshi medical students as well as its influencing factors. This cross-sectional survey was conducted on 720 randomly selected medical students from eight public medical colleges from January to June 2022. Data were obtained using a semi- structured, self-reported questionnaire and analyzed using the SPSS v.23 programs. The Bergen Facebook Addiction Scale BFAS was used to assess Facebook Addiction, while the Generalized Anxiety Disorder GAD-7, Patient Health Questionnaire PHQ-9, Perceived Stress Scale PSS10, Chen Internet Addiction Scale CIAS, and Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index PSQI was used to assess anxiety, depression, perceived stress, internet addiction, and sleep quality. Binary logistic regression was used to evaluate the influence of several demographic, psychological, and behavioral characteristics on the likelihood of respondents being addicted to Facebook. Facebook Addiction was observed in 29.4% of medical students. According to data, 63.7% of medical students reported mild to severe anxiety, 29.3% moderate to severe depression, and 84.9% moderate to high perceived stress. Lack of personal income [OR with (95% CI), 1.82 (1.13, 2.96)], poor academic performance [2.46 (1.45, 4.15)], moderate anxiety [2.45 (1.22, 4.92)], moderate perceived stress [5.87 (1.92, 17.95)], and moderately severe depression [2.62 (.97, 7.08)] were all found to play a significant role in the development of Facebook Addiction. However, living with parents [OR with (95% CI), .37 (.14, .95)] and positive family relationships [.40 (.18, .87)] reduces the likelihood of becoming addicted to Facebook. An integrated participative Behavioral and psychological intervention should be devised to reduce the risks of Facebook addiction in medical students while also improving their mental health-related quality of life.

Facebook addiction and sleep problems in peruvian university students after the COVID-19 pandemic

“…University students reported Facebook addiction problems in 57 (16.2 %) cases. These findings are consistent with a study conducted on Bangladeshi university students after the COVID-19 pandemic, which reported a prevalence of Facebook addiction at 29.4 % [ 45 ]. Another study on Trinidadian university students reported that 8.5 % presented a high risk of Facebook addiction [ 46 ].…”

Effect of Screen Media Technologies on Physical and Psychological Well Being in Middle Aged Adults

“…Most of the studies have collectively suggested that spending a significant amount of time on these social media platforms can have a damaging effect on psychological well-being and can also increasing the risk of experiencing psychological stress, depression, and anxiety due to various reasons. Kross et al (2013), Balakrishnan and Shamim (2013), Beardsmore (2015) and Karim et al (2023) reported the effect of facbook, WhatsApp and Instagram usage on the psychological stress. Similarly, Gupta et al (2022), Al-Naami et al (2023) and Pirnes et al (2023) suggested that increased time spent on social media platforms was associated with neck pain.…”

Suicidal behaviours and associated factors among medical students in Bangladesh: a protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis (2000–2024)

“…Throughout the world, the study of medicine is seen as being intrinsically difficult and demanding 21 due to the pressures of the classroom, overexpectations, 13 the demands of the workplace, burn-out and depression (particularly among younger doctors), as well as the ongoing trouble of balancing job, family and financial obligations. 7 In addition, other factors that contribute to suicidal behaviour among medical students include chronic stress, 22 poor mental health status, 15 academic stress, familial pressure, depression, 10 relationship status, drug addiction, alcohol use, 12 online addictions, 23 sleeping difficulties, thoughts of dropping out, physical or sexual assault, 1 parenting style 24 and family history. 10 11 …”