Psychological Effects in relation to Social Networking Usage among Daystar University Students

Authors: Sharleen W. Karanja, Susan Muringi
and Jared Menecha

Department of Clinical Psychology,
Daystar University, P.O. Box 44400-00100 Nairobi
Author E-mail address: wakonyosharleen@gmail.com

Abstract
The use of social media sites has revolutionised global communication. However; it has brought with it profound side effects that include addiction amongst other psychological problems. This study set out to establish the psychological effects of social networking usage among Daystar University students. The study used cross-sectional survey design. The target population was 2061 students who are based in Athi River campus. Opportunity sampling was used to select the respondents. A total of 236 respondents formed the sample size. Data was collected by use of questionnaires which adopted and modified the DASS tool, Life satisfaction scale and the Reviled UCLA scale. Data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences SPSS version 23.0 and presented using graphs, tables and charts for the descriptive statistics and Pearson’s correlation and chi-square for the inferential statistics. It was found that there was a statistically significant moderate correlation (r = 0.492, p = 0.019) between the frequency of accessing SNS and depression as well as the relationship between anxiety and the frequency of accessing SNS, with a statistically significant moderate correlation (r = 0.627, p = 0.007).This study recommends that students should limit their usage of social networks so as to reduce the associated negative side effects.

Keywords: Psychological effects, Social Networking Usage, Depression, Anxiety.

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