The Relationship Between Mental Health Content on Instagram and Self-confidence

Abstract

The surge in social media usage, especially among adolescents, has been associated with an increase in mental health issues. Numerous studies have established a correlation between social media use and various mental health symptoms, including depression, anxiety, diminished self-esteem, and overall well-being (Hussain & Griffiths, 2018). This research delves into the dual impact of social media on adolescents' mental well-being, highlighting both positive effects such as improved socialization, and negative consequences like depression and cyberbullying (Kaur & Bahsir, 2015). The duration of social media use is linked to the level of depression, emphasizing the need to understand the relationship between online activities and mental health (The Hearty Soul, 2016). Amid the rising mental health concerns, especially among Generation Z, there is a corresponding growth in mental health services. The Deloitte report (Auxier, Bucaille, & Westcott, 2021) indicates a rapid expansion of the mental health market, with over 20,000 mental health apps available globally. The popularity of mental health content on platforms like TikTok and Twitter further underscores the increasing discourse on mental health issues (Tia, 2022; Natalie Berry, 2017). This research focuses on the impact of mental health content on Instagram, particularly on the account @satupersenofficial, which addresses mental health issues among Gen Z adolescents. Instagram was chosen due to its popularity among young people, with data from Datareportal (2022) indicating its dominance among users aged 16-24. The study aims to investigate how the content on @satupersenofficial influences the self-confidence of its audience. Data collection involved 100 respondents, revealing a diverse demographic with 44% male and 56% female participants. The age distribution ranged from 16 to 24 years, reflecting the target Gen Z population. Statistical tests, including Validity, Reliability, Normality, and Linearity tests, were employed to analyze the data. The results indicate a robust correlation between Media Exposure and Self-Confidence, with a significant positive impact of Media Exposure on Self-Confidence. The study draws on the concept of self-confidence as a mindset enabling individuals to maintain a positive perception of themselves. While the mental health content on @satupersenofficial positively influences followers' knowledge and actions in dealing with mental health issues, the overall impact on self-confidence is modest at 19.8%. Factors not explicitly addressed in the content contribute more significantly to followers' self-confidence. This research contributes to understanding the intricate relationship between social media content, particularly on Instagram, and the self-confidence of adolescents. The findings have implications for mental health content creators and suggest avenues for future research to delve deeper into the multifaceted dynamics of social media and mental health