Social Media and Mental Health

Description:

In an age when social media is a part of life, there has been much debate about whether it is a force for good or evil. Removing personal opinion from the discussion, this book focusses on research findings to deliver a sorely needed account of the relationship between social media and mental health. Written by experts from a range of disciplines, this book provides a valuable overview of the field. Beginning with research on the nature of social media and their use, the book explores how social media influence mood, body image and general health, and how we can use social media positively. It also explores the link between social media use and specific mental health disorders. Discussion is grounded in the latest research to allow readers to make their own informed judgements. A must-read for professionals in social care, education and mental health, as well as interested general readers.

Table of Contents:

Section 1 Understanding Social Media

Chapter 1 Introducing Social Media

The Evolution of Social Media

The Characteristics of Social Media

The Business Model(s) of Social Media

The Governance of Social Media

The Self on Social Media

Writing about Social Media: A Final Thought

Further Reading

Chapter 2 The Legal and Ethical Status of Social Media

The Case for Law Reform

Professional Conduct on Social Media

Conclusion

Further Reading

Chapter 3 Social Media: An Everyday Reality

Why People Use Social Media

Who Uses Social Media?

How People Use Social Media

Summary and Implications

Conclusion

Further Reading

Chapter 4 How Social Media Can Influence Group and Individual Behaviour: Practice Implications

Theoretical Foundations of How Social Media Influence Behaviour

The Range of Social Media Platforms and How They Impact Mental Health

How Practitioners Can Use Social Media to Promote Positive Mental Health

Some Examples about How to Use Social Media to Promote Mental Health

Social Media Engagement and Measurement

Social Media Measurement

Tips for Clients on How They Can Manage Their Use of Social Media to Promote and Sustain Mental Heal

Conclusion

Chapter 5 Researching Social Media: Qualitative and Mixed-Methods Research Approaches

Qualitative Data Collection

Qualitative Data Analysis

Mixed-Methods Research

Conclusion

Further Reading

Chapter 6 Researching Social Media: Quantitative Approaches

Summary

Research Design: The Basic Structure of the Study

Descriptive Studies

Analytic Studies

Intervention Studies

The Study Sample: Participants in the Project

Research Measures: The Source of the Study's Results

Conclusion

Further Reading

Section 2 Social Media and Mental Health

Chapter 7 The Harms and Benefits of Social Media

Background

Risks of Social Media Use

Benefits of Social Media Use

Conclusion

Chapter 8 Social Media and Disorders of Mood

Defining and Identifying Disorders of Mood

Social Media Use and Mood Disorder

The Importance of Type of Social Media Use

Some Theory about Common Causes of Mood Disorder

Conclusion

Further Reading

Chapter 9 Social Media Use, Body Image, and Eating Disorders

Body Image, Eating Disorders, and Social Media

Some Theoretical Considerations

Social Media, Body Image Concerns, and Disordered Eating: Empirical Evidence

Social Media as a Medium for Intervention and Support

Conclusion

Further Reading

Chapter 10 Social Media and Gambling

The Rise of Online Gambling

How Do Gambling Problems Develop?

The Role of Social Media in Gambling

What Is the Place of Social Media in Gambling Harm Reduction?

Conclusion

Further Reading

Chapter 11 Social Media, Self-Harm, and Suicide

Defining Self-Harm

The Reality of Self-Harm

The Relation between Self-Harm and Suicide

Self-Harm on Social Media

What Does a Self-Harm Search Find on Social Media?

The Nature of the Content Found on Social Media

Who Might See Self-Harm Content on Social Media?

The Experience of Self-Harm Content on Social Media

How Do Social Media Cause Harms and Benefits?

Some Mechanisms of Harm

Some Mechanisms of Benefit

Harm or Benefit? A Difficult Judgement

Can We Minimize the Harms in Social Media While Maximizing Their Benefits?

Conclusion

Further Reading

Section 3 Social Media as a Resource

Chapter 12 Safely Navigating the Terrain: Keeping Young People Safe Online

Introduction

National Policy Approaches

Platform-Specific Approaches

Educational Approaches

Conclusion

Further Reading

Chapter 13 Technological Interventions for Adolescent Mental Health

Introduction

Adolescent Mental Health

Types of Technologies

Locations

Outcomes: Some Reported Benefits

Outcomes: Some Reservations

Digital Exclusion

Conclusion

Key Points

Chapter 14 Online Outreach and Support Provision: An Empirically Informed Approach and Case Illustra

Online Outreach: Key Considerations

Identifying Intended Audiences

Determining the Content of Outreach Work

Factoring in Motives for Online Communication

Accounting for the Impact of Online Material

Understanding the Quality of Health Information Online

Evaluation of Outreach Work

Enhancing Outreach Work: Additional Considerations

Conclusion

Afterword

References

Index