CORRELATION BETWEEN DEPRESSION LEVEL AND THE USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA AMONG UNIVERSITY STUDENTS IN KISII COUNTY, KENYA A CASE STUDY OF KISII UNIVERSITY

Abstract

This study's primary goal was to examine the correlation between depression level and the use of social media among university students in Kisii County, Kenya. A case study of Kisii University. The specific objectives of the study, to find out the correlation between forms of social media use and level of depression among university students in Kisii County, to examine the correlation between frequency of social media use and level of depression among university students in Kisii County and to investigate the correlation between functions of social media use and level of depression among university students in Kisii County. For this study, a descriptive research approach was adopted. 14,000 students enrolled in courses at Kisii University's main campus located in Kisii County were the focus of this investigation. The number of samples was determined by taking 10 per cent out of which 100 respondents were obtained. The tools for gathering data were questionnaires. Prior to the inquiry, a trial investigation was conducted to test the survey's accuracy. Quantitative statistics was classified and statistical descriptions, such as tables with frequencies and percentages, were used to better explain the information, while qualitative statistics was scrutinized to determine the responses from respondents that are relevant to the research topic. The data was analyzed using the SPSS to produce the tables and figures. The investigation found a connection between the use of social media platforms, frequency of social media uses as well as functions of social media use and depression levels. The outcomes of this investigation recommend that college students should track how long they use on the internet and media and on their own project. The study suggests that students should seek out amusement outside of social media, create offline academic groups, and communicate one-on-one with them friends. Finally, the researcher recommends more study to assess the connection between using social media and difficulties related to mental diseases other than depression.