IMPACT OF SOCIAL MEDIA USE ON SLEEP QUALITY AND MENTAL HEALTH AMONG ADOLESCENTS IN RURAL KARNATAKA A DESCRIPTIVE CORRELATIONAL STUDY

Abstract

Background: The rapid proliferation of smartphones and social media platforms has transformed adolescent lifestyles globally, including in rural India where mobile internet penetration has surged following the Jio digital revolution.  Aim: To assess the pattern of social media use among rural adolescents and examine its association with sleep quality (PSQI) and mental health (GHQ-12).  Design: Descriptive correlational cross-sectional study.  Setting: Rural villages and government schools, Dharwad district, Karnataka.  Sample: 50 adolescents aged 13–19 years by purposive sampling.  Tools: Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale (BSMAS), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), General Health Questionnaire-12 (GHQ-12), structured socio-demographic proforma.  Results: Mean daily social media use 3.1 ± 1.8 hours; 44% at-risk on BSMAS (≥19); 64% poor sleep quality (mean PSQI 7.8 ± 2.4); 58% probable psychiatric caseness (GHQ-12 ≥4). Correlations: SM hours vs PSQI r=0.68 (p<0.001); SM hours vs GHQ-12 r=0.62 (p<0.001); PSQI vs GHQ-12 r=0.74 (p<0.001). Night-use group had significantly higher PSQI (9.4 vs 5.2; t=4.82, p<0.001).  Conclusion: Social media use-particularly nocturnal usage-is strongly associated with poor sleep quality and compromised mental health among rural Karnataka adolescents.