Indonesian Journal of Global Health Research
Vol. 9 No. 1 (2027): Indonesian Journal of Global Health Research: February 2027

Social Media Addiction and Anxiety among Female Adolescents

Paskaliana Hilpriska Danal (Universitas Katolik Indonesia Santu Paulus Ruteng)
Viktoria Kartika Emer (Universitas Katolik Indonesia Santu Paulus Ruteng)



Article Info

Publish Date
31 Oct 2026

Abstract

Social media addiction is an emerging public health concern among adolescents, with potential consequences for psychological well-being, including anxiety. Evidence from rural Indonesian settings, particularly among female adolescents, remains limited. This study aimed to analyse the relationship between social media addiction and anxiety among female high school students in Langke Rembong Sub-district, Manggarai Regency, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia. A cross-sectional descriptive-analytic design was employed, involving 390 female students from six high schools selected through total sampling. Social media addiction was measured using the Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale (BSMAS) and dichotomised as Non-Addiction (score 6–23) and Addiction (score ≥24). Anxiety was assessed using the Generalised Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) and categorised as minimal, mild, moderate, or severe. Data were analysed using the Pearson chi-square test of independence. Most respondents (92.1%, n = 359) were classified as Non-Addiction, while 7.9% (n = 31) met the criterion for social media addiction. Overall, 30.0% had minimal, 33.1% mild, 20.5% moderate, and 16.4% severe anxiety. Social media addiction was significantly associated with anxiety level (χ²(3) = 23.053, p < 0.001). Among addicted respondents, 74.2% had clinically significant (moderate or severe) anxiety, compared with 33.7% of non-addicted respondents. Social media addiction is associated with higher anxiety severity among female adolescents in a rural Indonesian setting.

Copyrights © 2027






Journal Info

Abbrev

IJGHR

Publisher

Subject

Description

Indonesian Journal of Global Health Research is a open access, peer reviewed and refereed international journal. Indonesian Journal of Global Health Research aim to publish original research paper devoted to various area of all health sciences. Indonesian Journal of Global Health Research provides a ...